The Department of Midwifery at Wallaga University, Institute of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery was established in 2002 E.C. Its founding purpose was twofold: to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) program and to address the critical shortage of midwifery professionals across Ethiopia, aligning with the broader vision of Wallaga University. The department's core mandate is to graduate competent midwives capable of providing preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and primary midwifery and reproductive health services across all levels of the healthcare system.
Academic Programs
The department offers a comprehensive suite of programs that cater to different levels of professional development:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Generic Midwifery
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Post Basic Midwifery
- Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Midwifery
Program Duration
- Post-Basic Programs: Two and a half years
- Generic BSc Program: Four years
- Postgraduate MSc Program: Two and a half years
Achievements
Since its inception, the Department of Midwifery has demonstrated consistent growth and success. We have graduated two cohorts of post-basic students and twelve cohorts of generic (BSc) students. Demand for our training is increasing, with the postgraduate program scheduled to commence this year. Through these robust academic offerings, the department continues to meet its mission: producing competent, compassionate, and innovative midwives equipped to tackle Ethiopia’s critical maternal and reproductive health challenges.
DEPARTMENT OF MIDWIFERY
ሚድዋይፈሪ ትምህርት ክፍል
Overview
- The Department of Midwifery at Wallaga University began in 2002 E.C. as a program within the College of Health and Medical Sciences, specifically under the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. It gained departmental status in 2009 E.C. within the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
- From its start, the department has been dedicated to overcoming Ethiopia's critical shortage of maternal and reproductive health services by producing competent midwives. These professionals are trained to deliver comprehensive preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care to mothers and newborns.
- The department initially launched a four-year generic undergraduate Midwifery program to meet the national demand for specialists. In addition, in 2013 a post-basic BSc training program has started. Building on this foundation, the department is now launching an MSc in Clinical Midwifery to further address high-level skill gaps. This commitment is to develop highly skilled and compassionate professionals directly supports Wallaga University's mission and has proven effective in reducing preventable maternal and neonatal mortality across Ethiopia's diverse communities.
Leadership History
- Tesfalidet Tekleab (2002-2003 E.C), the first program coordinator
- Awol Kasim (2004-2006 E.C), program coordinator
- Hasan Adem (2007-2009 E.C), program coordinator
- Hasan Adem (2009-2011 E.C), the first department head.
- Tilahun Bekele (2012-2013 E.C)
- Merga Besho (2014-2015 E.C) led until leaving for postgraduate study
- Diriba Bayisa (2016-Present) is currently leading the department.
Vision, Mission, and Objectives of the department
Vision
☞ To be the leading producer of competent, compassionate, and innovative midwives in Ethiopia, directly contributing to the reduction of preventable maternal and neonatal mortality through high-quality care and service provision at all levels of the healthcare system.
Mission
☞ To train competent, compassionate, respectful, and caring midwives who can provide holistic sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and youth health (SRMNCAYH) services at community and health facility levels with focus on health promotion and disease prevention
Aim of the Program
☞ To equip midwives with a complex mix of knowledge, skill, attitudes, and preparing competent graduate midwives to their expected professional roles in the broader society.
Objectives of the department
- Prepare competent and motivated Midwives who are able to:
- To prepare students with solid knowledge of basic, clinical, behavioral, social and public health sciences for optimal care
- To enable midwifery students to focus on national SRMNCH priorities
- To provide midwifery students with public health competencies in order to promote and protect sexual, reproductive and maternal health of women and their families
- To prepare midwifery students with professional ethics and legal principles and values for quality and acceptable care
- To prepare midwifery students to become leaders, communicators, educators, researcher and lifelong learner.
Program Admission Requirement (Eligibility)
- Applicants must:
- Have a natural science background
- Meet the Ministry of Education criteria for entry into degree-level programs.
- Be physically fit, capable of undertaking essential clinical diagnostic techniques (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation), and free from hearing impairments.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Have graduated from an accredited college/school with diploma in midwifery
- Have obtained a minimum of 2 or 60% cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in previous diploma program.
- Have served in midwifery for a minimum of 2 years’ Present letter of sponsorship from employing institution