WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF NURSING & WEST AFRICAN HEALTH COMMUNITY

BY

GROUP 7

OBJECTIVES

History of West African Health Community & West African College of Nursing

The aims of the WAHC & WACN

Faculties of the WACN

Motto & Pledge of the college

Members

HISTORY OF THE WEST AFRICAN HEALTH COMMUNITY

It was established in may 1972 by the government of Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

This was done in cooperation with common wealth secretariat, London.

It was initially called the Commonwealth West African Regional Health Secretariat.

Liberia joined the community in 1974.

The word common wealth was then dropped.

The policy making organ of the organization signed a treaty on 25th October, 1979 to change the name of the organization and thereby establishing the West African Health Community.

The merger of WAHC and OCCGE to form the West African Health Organisation was lunched by the Mali head if state in November 2000 in the Malian capital, Bamako.

AIM OF THE ORGANISATION

It was established to undertake such activities as would contribute toward the attainment of the highest possible standards and protection of health for people of the sub-region.

WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF NURSING

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF NURSING The West African College Of Nursing is one of the specialized agencies of the former West

African Health Community.

The West African College of Nursing Council was inaugurated on 5th April, 1979.

The constitution of the WACN was ratified by October 1980 by the assembly of health ministers in Accra-Ghana.

The college was inaugurated in Banjul, The Gambia on Tuesday 14th April, 1981 by His Excellency, Honourable Mr. Assan Camara who was the vice president of The Gambia.

268 foundation fellows and 5 honorary fellows were admitted at the inauguration.

In October 1989, the WACN fellowship programme started with 9 students at the department of nursing, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

The headquarters is in Lagos-Nigeria and is located within the secretariat of the West African Health Community.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COLLEGE

Promote excellence in nursing education-basic and post basic level and maintain the standard of nursing within the sub-region.

Formulate and support nursing education programs.

Contribute to the improvement of health care within the West African sub-region.

Plan and implement continuing education programs for nursing personnel.

Promote and encourage research in the field of nursing.

FACULTIES OF THE COLLEGE

Medical surgical nursing( with 3 sub areas ):

Critical nursing (accident and emergency, intensive care, peri-operative nursing, special care babies nursing)

Palliative nursing (terminally ill-HIV/AIDS, cancers etc., rehabilitation)

Adult nursing (non-communicable diseases)

Reproductive health nursing.

Mental health/ psychiatric nursing.

Community health nursing. Faculty of administration, management and education.

ELIGIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COLLEGE

Members of the college are designated fellows.

They are members of the nursing profession with at least first degree in nursing in any of the member states.

Must have to pass examination prescribed by the college through its fellowship programme.

MOTTO

Unity, knowledge and service.

PLEDGE

I solemnly declare that I will obey all the laws of the West African College of Nursing and uphold and defend its constitution . I will work diligently and contribute to the advancement of Nursing knowledge, the achievement of the ideals, goals and objectives of the West African College of Nursing and the maintenance of the highest possible standard of Nursing Education and Practice in the interest of our people.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WACN CREST

The following ideas are reflected in the college’s crest:

a.circle – continuity of life

b.A woven cord – interrelatedness of life and the total environment

c. Nightingale lamp illuminating a book – search for knowledge

d.Colours representing the constituent faculties

WHAT THE COLOURS OF THE FACULTIES SYMBOLYZES

COLOUR FACULTY MEANING

Red Medical and surgical nursing Health promotion, restoration and healing

White Maternal and child health nursing

Relief of pain and suffering

Blue Mental health/psychiatric nursing

Maintenance of emotional balance

Green Community health nursing For the environment and the wide scope of nursing

Gold Administration, management and education

Research and advancement of knowledge

Gown – black with college crest at the yoke of gown facings with constituent faculty coloursHat – bonnet style, black with coloured cord and tassel

REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

The West African Health Organisation. (n.d). May 12, 2014, from www.wahooas.org/spip.php.

The West African Health Community. (n.d). May 13, 2014, from www.wahifp.org/.

The West African College of Nursing. (n.d). May13, 2014, from wacn.awardspace.com.