Acronyms

With a lovely view and a hot pot of African tea, we had a great start to a busy Sunday.

Today was a long day at our hotel with long back-to-back meetings.  It was important because we were reconnecting with old friends in nursing while collaborating and fact-finding.  

First we met with nursing commissioner of the Ministry of Health (MoH).  She is the head nurse of the country and a very vibrant and assertive nurse leader. Next we met with representatives of the Ugandan Nurse and Midwifery Union (UNMU); the national nursing association (NNA) which advocates and champions for it profession.  We’ve working hand-in-hand with UNMU from the beginning and they are one of our most important partners-in-crime.  Next was the Ugandan Private Midwives Association.(UMPA)  They are under the UNMU umbrella representing private practice midwives (PPM).  (If one is not careful, one could choke on all the acronyms in this line of work.) 

We have two exciting project designs we have been developing over the years; one has the potential to create a paradigm shift for the nursing profession in Uganda, and the second, develop the PPM practices.  The PPMs are real heroes in their communities, most often working in the most rural areas.  They are true entrepreneurs.

We received enthusiastic support for both potential projects. “I must be dreaming, “ said the president of UMPA.  We feel terrific having this caliber of buy-in. 

Next we meet with members of UCMB, UNMC, AMREF, MoPS, MoES, MoH, MoEB, UCP, etc. to talk about BNS, EM, RN, ECN, MSN, RM, EN and PMTCT, HIV and TB.  Remember, I warned you about the acronyms.

Until tomorrow…(MS)