Mulanje Mission College of Nursing and Midwifery has graduated 247 nurses and midwives with a call for government to absorb the unemployed nurses into the system.

Speaking on Saturday in Blantyre on the sidelines of the graduation ceremony, the college’s principal Keith Lipato expressed concernthat qualified nurses are still unemployed while hospitals are facing shortage of health workers.

“Government has no excuses as colleges are producing nurses and midwives. We have no excuse why Malawians should suffer because of shortage of health workers, especially nurses and midwives,” he said.

Navaya (L) presents a certificate to a graduand (2R)

Lipato also said shortage of health workers in hospitals piles pressure on the small workforce available.

The college is owned by CCAP Blantyre Synod and its  moderator the Reverend Edna Navaya urged the graduandsto work professionally.

“The graduation marks an achievement to the entire CCAP Blantyre Synod. I urge the graduates to practise whatever knowledge and skills they have acquired to contribute positively to the well-being of Malawians,” she said.

One of the graduands, Naomi Magombo, expressed concern with lack of employment in the country.

“Yes, I have graduated and I am excited, but I am aware of the challenges out there. I fear for the future of my career and urge government to employ us,” she said.

Out of the 247 graduands, 157 were nursing and midwifery technicians and 90 community midwifery assistants.

Ministry of Health statistics show that Malawi has a 60 percent vacancy rate for nurses and midwives.

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