Ghana marks International Nurses’ day
Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, Minister of Health on Friday applauded the collective dedication and hard work of nurses and midwives working around the country to ensure the delivery of a healthy population for national development.
“Through your dedication and commitment, we have as a nation made significant progress in addressing issues of accessibility and equity and bringing hope to our citizens,” he said.
Mr Bagbin, was addressing participants at the national launch of the 2012 International Nurses’ Day and Nurses’ week celebrations in Accra.
He however urged them to take care of their health by observing healthy lifestyles such as eating balance diets, resting and regular exercising so as to gain physical, spiritual and mental strength to serve their clients better.
The celebrations was on the theme:”Nurses’ and Midwives: Caring and Advocating Peaceful 2012 General Election.”
The occasion was used to paid tribute to the founder of Nursing, Florence Nightingale and also acknowledged the work of members of the profession.
Mr Bagbin stressed on the importance of a stable and peaceful atmosphere for care giving, and therefore commended the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) for selecting the theme especially at the wake of the recent experiences during the just ended nationwide Biometric Voter Registration exercise.
He commended members of the Association on the outcome of a recent assessment on the performances of nurses in the sector, which showed great improvement in attitudes and services of nurses and midwives towards their clients.
He however asked the personnel not to be complacent about the present, but rather use it as a time for sober reflection on the expectations of the people and the special challenges of the health sector in the country.
Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Catholic Archbishop of Accra, reminded the medical professionals of the fact that nursing and midwifery is a call vocation and therefore anyone who is called into the service must possess the qualities and attributes of its founder and to hail peace, love and unity for national development.
Mr Kweku Asante-Krobea, President of the GRNA called on stakeholders to join hands with the Association to educate Ghanaians on the need for peace and unity.
Mr George Kumi Kyeremeh, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer asked members of the profession to observe the Patients Charter in order to uphold their human rights.
“As care givers there is the need for you to maintain healthy lives so that you can provide effective care and services to your clients,” he said.
He also urged the Ministry of health to pursue policies that would ensure the welfare of Nurses’ and Midwives.
Source: GNA