Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing

Overview

The Department of Pediatric and Child Health Nursing (PCHN) at Bahir Dar University is a critical academic unit within the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS). Established in 2007 as a post-basic program, the department expanded in 2020 to include both generic undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Pediatric and Child Health Nursing. It has produced graduates across all program levels since their respective inceptions. Dedicated to training skilled pediatric nursing professionals and advancing child health outcomes in Ethiopia and beyond, the department integrates rigorous academics, clinical excellence, and community engagement to address pressing pediatric healthcare challenges nationally and internationally.

Vision

  • To be Ethiopia’s leading hub for pediatric nursing excellence, advancing child health equity through transformative education, research, and community-centered care by 2030. 

Mission

  • To train highly competent pediatric nursing professionals through rigorous academic programs, innovative research, and ethical clinical practice; improve child health outcomes in Ethiopia and beyond by addressing critical healthcare challenges; and foster community partnerships that promote equitable, evidence-based care for all children and families

Objectives

  • Achieve 100% integration of standardized nursing process (NP) protocols into curricula by 2026 to address Ethiopia’s 50.2% NP implementation gap.
  • Attain 90% graduate employability within 6 months of graduation through enhanced clinical rotations at Tier-3 hospitals (e.g., Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital).
  • Increase faculty-led pediatric nursing research output by 50% by 2028, focusing on national priorities: malnutrition, infectious diseases, and healthcare quality improvement.
  • Establish a Center for Pediatric Nursing Innovation to pilot telehealth solutions for rural communities.
  • Reduce parental dissatisfaction with pediatric care from 42.4% to <20% by 2030 through evidence-based service quality initiatives.
  • Ensure 75% of faculty attain advanced research certifications by 2027.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Programs 

  • BSc in Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing:
    • Duration: 4 years.
    • Curriculum: Foundations in neonatal/pediatric care, child development, emergency triage (ETAT), Immunization &vaccination and community health.
    • Enrollment: 116 students annually (part of 746 undergraduate medical/health students’ university-wide)
    • Clinical Sites: Bahir Dar Health Centers and Hospital 

Graduate Programs 

  • MSc in Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing:
    • Duration: 2 years.
    • Focus: Advanced clinical practice, research methodology, leadership.
    • Thesis Requirement: Original research on pediatric health priorities (e.g., malnutrition, chronic diseases).

Staff Profile

- Academic Staff: 

The department employs faculty with specialized training in pediatric nursing and child health, aligned with national healthcare priorities and institutional goals.

The Department of Pediatric and Child Health Nursing employs faculty with specialized training in pediatric nursing and child health, aligned with national healthcare priorities and institutional goals. The department comprises 17 faculty members distributed across the following academic ranks:

  • One (1) Associate Professor
  • One (1) Assistant Professor (PhD holder)
  • Eight (8) Assistant Professors (all MSc holders)
  • Seven (7) Lecturers (all MSc holders)
  • One (1) Lecturer with dual qualifications
  • Among these, Six (6) faculty members are currently pursuing doctoral degrees (PhDs) domestically and internationally.
    • One faculty member holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing, a Master of Science (MSc) in Pediatric and Child Health Nursing, and a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology.
      - Administrative and technical support staff:
  • The Department of Pediatric and Child Health Nursing (PCHN) at Bahir Dar University employs one full-time Administrative Secretary, who serves as the operational nucleus for departmental functions. This role provides comprehensive administrative support essential to the department’s academic, research, and service missions.

Research and Innovation

Key Areas:

  1. Pediatric Pain Management
  2. Infectious Disease Control
  3. Nutrition & Malnutrition
  4. Digital Health Innovations

Facilities and Learning Resources

A. Clinical Training Infrastructure

  1. Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital:
    • 46-bed pediatric Ward, 9 bed ETAT, 3 Pediatric ICU, Under five OPD and Pediatrics Orthopedics ward, 3 Neonatal ICU Rooms.
    • Simulation lab with high-fidelity manikins for neonatal resuscitation training.
    • Ethiopia’s Center of Excellence for Emergency/Critical Care.
  2. Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital:
    • 118-bed pediatric unit; dedicated NICU and malnutrition ward.

B. Learning Resources

  • Skills Laboratories:
    • Equipped skill laboratory with advanced manikins for pediatric nursing care simulations and practice
  • E-Learning Portal:
    • WHO training modules like, IMNCI, ETAT, Malnutrition management, EPI and etc.
  • Research Centers:
    • Tana Research and Diagnostic Center (TRDC) for lab-based studies.
    • Mecha Demographic Surveillance Site for community health tracking.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Mobile Health Clinics:

  • Engaged in clinical service delivery through integrated outreach programs, providing immunization, malnutrition screening, and maternal-child health education at neighboring health centers and hospitals in Bahir Dar City and surrounding communities of the Amhara Region.

Partnerships:

  • WHO, Ministry of Health, NGOs like Jhpiego

Achievements and Milestones

Despite Excellence in pediatric nursing is measured not only by scores but by lives uplifted – from bedside to community

  • Perfect Academic Performance (2024)
  • In the department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing of 2024/2025 graduates, all achieved a CGPA ≥3.00, with 45% attaining >3.75 CGPA, reflecting rigorous curriculum alignment with international pediatric competency standards.
  • In the same Physical Year, the department of PCHN had 100% National Exit Exam pass rate – surpassing national nursing education benchmarks and mirroring high-stakes competency validation like pediatric care standards.

Student Life

  • The student life of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing (PCHN) students at Bahir Dar University combines rigorous academics, community engagement, clinical training and community practice in a resource-constrained but supportive environment. Their work directly addresses Ethiopia’s dual burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases, preparing them as frontline child health advocates. 

Contact Us

📞 +251-936-733-665
📧 
🕘 Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM