The Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing at Wallaga University, Institute of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, has been a pioneer in advancing child and neonatal health education since its establishment in 2010^E.C. The department was founded in alignment with the vision and mission of Wallaga University, with the core aim of addressing the critical shortage of pediatric and neonatal health professionals across Ethiopia. Its mandate is to prepare highly skilled nurses capable of delivering preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services that improve the health and survival of children and newborns nationwide.

Academic Programs

The department offers a comprehensive suite of programs that cater to different levels of professional development:

1. Post-Basic in Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing
2. Post-Basic in Neonatal Health Nursing
3. Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing
4. Master of Science (MSc) in Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing

Program Duration

• Post-Basic Programs: Two and a half years
• Undergraduate Generic BSc Program: Four years
• Postgraduate MSc Program: Two years

Achievements

Since its inception, the department has successfully graduated five cohorts of post-basic students and two cohorts of postgraduate (MSc) students. The generic undergraduate program is currently in its second year of training, with growing enrollment and demand.

Through these programs, the department continues to fulfill its mission of producing competent, compassionate, and innovative pediatric and neonatal nurses who are equipped to address Ethiopia’s pressing child and newborn health challenges.

DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS AND NEONATAL NURSING                                                                       

                 ፔዲያትሪክስ እና ኒኦናታል ነርሲንግ ት/ ክፍል

Overview

• The Department of Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing was established in 2010 ^C. as a unit under the Institute of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery at Wallaga University. Since its inception, the department has been dedicated to addressing the critical shortage of professionals in pediatric and neonatal health services by producing competent nurses who can provide preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care to children and newborns.
• Initially, the department launched two-and-a-half-year post-basic training programs in Pediatrics and Neonatal Nursing. This initiative was designed to respond to the urgent demand for specialized child health and neonatal nursing professionals across the country. Including the post-basic training programs, the department started training BSc in Pediatrics and child health undergraduates, thereby addressing gaps in the middle level of child and newborn health professionals.
• The department has maintained its commitment to Wallaga University’s vision and mission by producing highly skilled and compassionate nurses capable of serving diverse communities in Ethiopia. Training of these specialty nurses has proven to be both feasible and effective in reducing preventable neonatal and childhood illnesses and mortality.

Leadership History

• Werku Etafa (2010-2011 ^E.C), the first department head.
• Bizuneh Wakuma (2012-2015 ^E.C) led until leaving for postgraduate study.
• Bruck Tesfaye (2015-Present) is currently leading the department.

Name. Dabala Daraje Mitiku

Qualification: BSc Midwifery

Interested research area: Maternal and New born care research area.

Contact Address

Mobile phone: +251924103590

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      Name: Yohannes Mekonen Abdissa

     College/Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University
      Department/Team: Midwifery

      Qualification: BSc Midwifery

      Research areas: maternal and child health

      Contact Address           

      Phone number: 0937876199/0941786652

     Personal email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Institutional email: yohannes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohannis-mekonen-588973311  

            Name: Tomas Endalu Nagasa

            College/Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University
            Department/Team: Midwifery

            Qualification: BSc Midwifery

             Research Areas: SRH, Maternal, Child health and Health related issues

 Mobile Phone: +251934054318

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 Name: Belay Geramu Bekala

               College/Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University

               Department/Team: Midwifery

               Research Areas/Interests: Maternal and Child Health

Mobile Phone: - +251925933201

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 Name: Yohannes Gelana Digilu

       College/Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University

        Department/Team: Midwifery

       Qualification: BSc in Midwifery

 Publication list

1. Compliance with ≥ 8 antenatal care contacts and its associated factors among postnatal women attending public health facilities in Nekemte town, Western Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-08223-6

Contact Address

Mobile Phone: +251917624804

Institutional Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Personal Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohannes-gelana         

         Name: Wakuma Imiru Lelisa

        College/Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University

        Department/Team: Midwifery

        Qualification: BSc in Midwifery

Institutional email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile Phone: +251939682617

Name: Diriba Bayisa Abaye

   College/Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University
      Department/Team: Midwifery
      Academic Rank: Lecturer                   

Field of Specialization: Clinical Midwifery

• BSc in Midwifery
• MSc in Clinical Midwifery

  On behalf of the Department of Midwifery, I want to affirm our unwavering commitment to strengthening maternal and newborn health outcomes across Ethiopia. Our department’s primary focus at the national level is the consistent production of highly competent, compassionate, and innovative midwives. Through our rigorous generic, post-basic, and newly launched postgraduate programs, we are directly addressing the critical workforce shortage that impacts rural and underserved communities. Every graduate is equipped not only with clinical skills for preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care but also with the professional readiness to serve Ethiopia’s diverse population. Our achievements in reducing preventable maternal and neonatal mortality are a direct result of this dedication to quality education. We remain steadfast partners to the Ministry of Health and all stakeholders working toward a healthier future for every mother and child in Ethiopia.

“No Mother Dies in Labor: Pillars of Family Deserve Excellence.”

Research Interest: Maternal and Newborn, Reproductive Health and other Health-Related Topics.   

List of Publications

1. Pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors toward physical exercise during pregnancy among those attending antenatal care at Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. SAGE OPEN MEDICINE 10(6):205031212211152. DOI: 10.1177/20503121221115252
2. Burden of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among pregnant women in East Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis, 2023. Maternal Health Neonatology and Perinatology 9(1). DOI: 10.1186/s40748-023-00150-8
3. HIV sero-status disclosure and associated factor among HIV positive women in East Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis. Implication for prevention of mother to child HIV transmission, 2022. Frontiers in Public Health 10:919410. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.919410
4. Same day ART initiation and associated factor among people living with HIV on lifelong therapy at Nekemte Specialized hospital, 2023. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care 15:11-22. DOI: 10.2147/HIV.S395238
5. Time to Antiretroviral therapy initiation and its predictors among newly diagnosed HIV positive people in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia: Claim of universal test and treat, 2021 HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care Volume 13.

Contact Address:

Mobile phone: +251923323723/+251972495464
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Institutional email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• 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

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.

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:

1. Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Generic Midwifery
2. Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Post Basic Midwifery
3. 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.

 Name: Nesru Hiko 

 Institute: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University
 Department/Team: Emergency And Critical Care Nursing
 Field of Specialization:

• BSc in Nursing
• MSc in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine

  I want to express my sincere gratitude for the unwavering dedication, professionalism, and compassion that define our Emergency and Critical Care department. Every day, we face the challenges of saving lives, stabilizing patients, and delivering care under the most demanding conditions. Our expertise, strength, and commitment are the foundation of our success.

  We are proud to be a team that values patient safety, quality care, and ongoing improvement. Our mission is to provide timely, evidence-based, and compassionate care to those in need, regardless of the time or situation.

  I encourage you to continue striving for excellence, to support one another, and to stay focused on the values that make our department a source of hope and healing. Together, we are more than a department we are a family committed to making a meaningful difference. To achieve our vision, I would like to invite different stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental organizations to collaborate with us. Looking forward for the cooperation and support from all our well-wishers. Thank you.

  Sincerely,
  Nesru Hiko
  Head, Emergency and Critical Care Department

  Research Interest:

  List of Publications

  1. Knowledge and Attitude Towards Antimicrobial Resistance of Graduating Health Science Students of Wollega University, Published on Dove Medical Press 3 November 2020 Volume 2020:13
  2. Patterns of road traffic accidents, nature of related injuries, and post-crash outcome determinants in western Ethiopia - a hospital based study published on African Journal of Emergency Medicine, October 2020
  3. Disaster Preparedness in Selected Hospitals of Western Ethiopia and Risk Perceptions of Their Authorities Published on Dove Medical Press 8 October 2020 Volume 2020:12
  4. Determinants of preterm birth among women delivered in public hospitals of Western Ethiopia, 2020: Unmatched case-control study: Published on Dove Medical Press 3 November 2020 Volume 2020:13
  5. Knowledge, attitude and Practice toward corona virus infection among pregnant women attending Antenatal care at public Hospitals in East, West and Horo Guduru Wollega Ethiopia: Published on Dove Medical Press 3 November 2020 Volume 2020:13

  Contact Address:

  Mobile phone: +251912893497
  E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Institutional email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• 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