Raising the status of a profession

The project aimed to improve the quality of care provided in public and private hospitals in Damascus by improving the quality of training and the recognition of the nursing profession. To this end, on-the-job training was put in place for nursing staff, and teacher training in specialised schools for medical personnel.

271 nurses and 25 managers were trained. As a result, significant behaviour changes were noted, including improved hygiene and better prevention of the contamination of equipment and care; a better organisation of responsibilities; and improvements in relations with the patients and their families. The training also raised their status with hospital management. Consistent with its objective, the project brought a new dynamic and better perception of the nursing profession. Other institutions requested that sessions be organised in their establishments during the project period, increasing from four to six the number of hospitals that benefited from the initiative. As a result, the Ministry of Health was strongly supportive of the project and a new “Train the Trainers in Nursing” initiative was created, previously non-existent in Syria.

The Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement (IECD) is an NGO founded in 1988 to implement international solidarity projects in developing countries. Its mission is to provide men and women with the tools and knowledge to enable them to play an active role in the future of their countries. Education and training are at the core of its approach.