Midwifery School

The National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Kalutara, is the premier public health training institution in Sri Lanka, entrusted with producing competent public health professionals to strengthen the country’s preventive health services. Among its flagship programmes, the Diploma in Midwifery prepares skilled and compassionate midwives capable of delivering high-quality maternal, newborn, child, and reproductive health services in accordance with national standards.

The programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, clinical competencies, professional attitudes, and leadership skills required to provide comprehensive maternal and child health care while contributing to the broader goals of primary health care and universal health coverage.

Objectives of the Programme

The Diploma in Midwifery aims to:

  • Produce competent and compassionate midwives capable of delivering safe, evidence-based maternal and newborn care.
  • Develop knowledge and practical skills required for promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative maternal and child health services.
  • Strengthen communication, teamwork and leadership competencies essential for multidisciplinary health care delivery.
  • Foster ethical practice, professionalism and respect for women, families and communities.
  • Promote critical thinking, problem-solving and lifelong learning to meet emerging public health challenges.
  • Prepare graduates to provide quality midwifery services in hospitals, field settings and communities throughout Sri Lanka.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Diploma in Midwifery programme, graduates will be able to:

PLO 1: Perform clinical skills with scientific rationale to provide quality and safe clinical care in all health care settings.

PLO 2: Apply scientific knowledge in delivering preventive and promotive health care services.

PLO 3: Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills to enhance the quality of care and services.

PLO 4: Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teams while exercising leadership when appropriate.

PLO 5: Apply critical thinking and creativity in problem-solving during professional practice.

PLO 6: Manage available resources efficiently and effectively in implementing health activities.

PLO 7: Utilize information and information technology appropriately in providing health care services.

PLO 8: Apply networking and social skills to enhance service delivery.

PLO 9: Demonstrate adaptability, flexibility and resilience in fulfilling professional roles and responsibilities.

PLO 10: Uphold professionalism, ethical values, positive attitudes and the attributes of a competent midwife while providing respectful, client-centred care.

PLO 11: Continuously update professional knowledge and practice based on current scientific evidence and lifelong learning.

PLO 12: Empower individuals, families and communities to make informed decisions regarding their health and well-being.

Recruitment Criteria

Recruitment to the Diploma in Midwifery programme is carried out in accordance with the approved Scheme of Recruitment (SOR) of the Ministry of Health, endorsed by the Public Service Commission.

Applicants should:

  • Be between 18 and 30 years of age on the specified date.
  • Have passed the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination with three Credit passes, including the first language, Science and Mathematics, together with passes in three additional subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  • Have passed the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination in the Science stream with three passes or fulfil the requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Health.
  • Be unmarried.
  • Possess a minimum height of 4 feet 10 inches.

Duration and Medium of Instruction

The Diploma in Midwifery is an 18-month full-time programme conducted in Sinhala and Tamil. Upon successful completion, graduates are awarded the Diploma in Midwifery and become eligible for registration with the Ceylon Medical College Council (CMCC) and the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) as Registered Midwives.

Programme Structure

The programme integrates classroom teaching, hospital-based clinical training and community-based field experience, enabling students to develop competencies across the continuum of maternal and child health care.

Part I – Institutional and Clinical Training

The first phase consists of institutional learning and clinical placements and includes:

Field Familiarization Programme (2 weeks)

Students are introduced to community health services and the functioning of field public health programmes.

Clinical Placement

Clinical training comprises:

  • Familiarization of hospital and clinical settings
  • General clinical nursing care
  • Maternal and neonatal clinical care

The hospital familiarization programme is conducted during the fifth week of training over two days with structured learning sessions. General clinical care is undertaken between the ninth and sixteenth weeks, followed by comprehensive clinical exposure in maternal and neonatal care under close supervision.

Classroom Teaching

Theory sessions are integrated throughout the institutional training period to provide the scientific foundation required for safe and competent practice. Teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations, simulations, skills laboratory sessions, tutorials and continuous assessments.

Part II – Field Training

The second phase consists of six months of supervised field training, providing students with practical experience in community-based maternal and child health services.

The field component includes:

  • Classroom teaching
  • Eight field assignments
  • One community-based project

Field training is conducted in two stages:

Stage I (Weeks 54–65)

  • Three days of classroom teaching per week
  • Two and a half days of supervised field practice per week

Stage II (Weeks 66–77)

  • Two days of classroom teaching per week
  • Three and a half days of supervised field practice per week

Field Assignments

Students complete competency-based, scenario-driven field assignments focusing on priority maternal and child health services. Action plans are developed for identified problems in areas

Community Project

Each student undertakes a project in accordance with the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Health Sciences. The project provides an opportunity to apply scientific knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address real community health issues.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The field training component is monitored and coordinated by the Deputy Director (Training) of the National Institute of Health Sciences to ensure that trainees achieve the required competencies through continuous supervision, assessment and feedback.

At the end of the Part 1 training component trainees will be assessed with a written examination, practical examination and a viva voce. At the end of the part 2 training  the final assessment will be carried out with a written examination, practical examination, General Viva and project-based Viva.