Each year, from May 6th to May 12, International Nurses Week is celebrated across the globe. May 12 is International Nurses Day which is the birth date of the founder of modern nursing i.e. Florence Nightingale.
This year the day will be celebrated under the theme: “Nurses: A Voice to Lead- Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health”
This week is celebrated in order to bring recognition to the different ways in which nurses work hard to help others have better health. It is a time when Nurses are honoured and rewarded in some small way, for their dedication, commitment and sacrifice to care for our nation.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the vital role nurses play. Without nurses and other health workers, we will not win the battle against outbreaks; we will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals or universal health coverage.
Thousands of Nurses and health care workers across the world have died in their duty of service to persons affected by the COVID19 virus, yet they continue to serve selflessly and sacrificially. Never have they surrendered to the COVID 19 situation, never have they hesitated from giving your services.
We may not realize how much a nurse sacrifices for the comfort and well being of her patient, but their dedication towards their job is unmatched. This is vividly seen as our Nurses have risen to the occasion in leading and healing particularly during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Volcanic Eruption and Dengue Fever outbreak.
On this occasion of Nurses Week, on behalf of our Chief Nurse Peggy DaSilva who is in attendance of the WHO ICN ICM Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Meeting, I wish to deeply thank all the nurses of St Vincent and the Grenadines, for the efforts, time and commitment they are putting in their jobs despite the many challenges that would have also personally affected them and their families, during the last two years. We acknowledge and appreciate your stalwart contributions and pause to say “Thank You and May the Good Lord continue to bless you daily”.
During this week of celebration we would be having the following activities.
1 Award plaques will be given to all Nursing personnel who would have attained 30 years service as of 31st May 2022. A total of 64 persons will be awarded.
2. Award certificates will be given to all Nursing personnel who had perfect attendance in 2021
3. A live Facebook production on the MOHWE’s Facebook page on the afternoon of the 12th of May, International Nurses Day 2022. Gifts certificates with a focus on self care will be given to nursing staff, by random selection, during the live broadcast.
4. Each Nursing Staff will be credited with two extra days in appreciation for their commitment and dedication to duty particularly over the past year
We pray Gods continued protection on the lives of our Nurses as they continue to serve our nation.
You are extraordinary individuals and vital frontline workers, displaying courage, care and commitment to your patients every day. As we pause to celebrate National Nurses Week 2022, we thank our nurses for their unwavering care and dedication – particularly over the last year
Happy International Nurses week to our Nurses, and Happy International Nurses Day.