
Tiny Nthuseni Netangaheni
University of Venda, South AfricaPresentation Title:
Exploration of positive and negative experiences of ubuntu principles application by student midwives at Vhembe district
Abstract
Background: Ubuntu is a primordial African philosophical paradigm premised on the fundamental principles of sharing, passionate humanness, respect, caring, compassion, as well as ensuring a qualitative human community in the spiritual life of an individual, family, and community. Poor implementation of Ubuntu in nursing and midwifery services reflects negatively on professional ethics.
Aim: To describe the experiences of student midwives regarding the application of Ubuntu principles during provision of midwifery services in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province.
Setting: The investigation will be carried out by the researcher in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province.
Methods: The study used a qualitative approach and a descriptive research design. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with 30 participants after ethical approval from the researchers’ affiliated institution and informedconsent from participants or their guardians was obtained.
Results: The study found that student midwives had positive and negative experiences of Ubuntu. The positive experiences were characterised by teamwork, patient support, respect for patients and non-discrimination. The negative experiences were characterised by discrimination, disrespect, psychological and physical abuse, shortage of staff and poor infrastructure.
Contribution: The study will contribute to further research-based initiatives intended to improve the standard and quality of ethics in nursing midwifery from multi-faceted scholarly perspectives.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the life blood of midwifery is sustainable, provided that concomitant transformation is instituted and institutionalised in the macrocosm of nursing education and training policy in South Africa through the application of UBUNTU principles.
Biography
Mrs Nthuseni Tiny Netangaheni (Munzhedzi) is a professional nurse who works at Donald Fraser hospital at Limpopo province Vhembe District. She joined primary care nursing and work as clinical nurse practitioner at Vhufuli Tshitereke Clinic –William Eddie Local Area, after specializing in primary care nursing. She also holds the certificates in VCT and NIMART training, act as coordinator on PMTCT. She developed a passion in maternal and neonatal care. Ubuntu philosophy was her slogan during her provision of her daily service. Her desire in midwifery drove her to join Limpopo college of Nursing as Midwifery Lecturer. Sekhukhune campus: Dilokong Nursing School as an HOD academic and thohoyandou Campus. She holds a masters degree in nursing where she researched about the experience of students midwives regarding the application of Ubuntu principles during the provision of midwifery services at limpopo province. As a public health specialist, she believes in application of Ubuntu to ensure the promotion of health care services .Currently she is working at Ga-Rankuwa Nursing Campus, Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON) as senior lecturer in midwifery department. Amongst her roles as lecturer: provision of teaching and learning with undergraduate diploma of student midwives is incorporated. Hoping that her desire to strengthen the good application of Ubuntu philosophy during provision of midwifery services, to ensure best outcomes will be accomplished.