WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF NURSING WEST AFRICAN HEALTH

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 25 th 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 5 th 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 14 th 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 ): ü Critical nursing (accident and emergency, intensive care, peri-operative nursing, special care babies nursing) ü Palliative nursing (terminally ill-HIV/AIDS, cancers etc. , rehabilitation) ü 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 colours Hat – 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). May 13, 2014, from wacn. awardspace. com.