Role of nurses in meeting MDGs very crucial – MoH Chief Director
Speakers at this year’s launch of the 2013 national Nurses Day celebration have underscored the importance of nurses in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
They said the theme for the launch: “Closing the Gap: the Millennium Development Goals four, five and six,” is apt because the need to close the gap has become an urgent issue worldwide as the countdown obsession towards 2015 has gripped all nations.
In a speech read on her behalf on Thursday, Ms Salimata Abdul-Salam, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health said: “The Nurse or midwife is at the core of the three pillars for reductions of maternal and newborn mortality, and the fight against HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases.”
She noted that statistics indicate that even though significant progress has made in achieving the MDGs four target of reducing infant and under five mortality rates by two thirds by 2015, it is possible for Ghana to achieve the target if an effort is made to scale up and sustain the recent child survival interventions, which have constituted to the current improvement in the indicators.
The MDGs one two and three seeks to eradicate extreme poverty hunger; ensure universal primary education and promotion of gender and women’s empowerment.
“As you deliberate on issues that affect your practice as nurses, it is my hope that you go beyond and examine how you can strengthen your own structures, improve governance in your establishment and develop strategies to adhere to standards in your practice and accountability.”
Chief Nursing officer, Mr George Kumi Kyeremeh said to achieve the MDGs target; nurses should break through barriers and accept postings to rural areas where their services are most needed.
He noted that it is very important for nurses to make effective contribution to enable them meet the required professional standards which calls for a wide range of knowledge and skills including clinical practice, management and research up to the consultant level.
The Chief Nursing officer also called on nurses to develop capacity to enable their profession to thrive in an era where academia is more dynamic and competitive than before.
President of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association, Mr Kwaku Asante Krobea emphasised the important role of nurses in achieving the MDGs.
He said: “Whilst addressing the need for human centred care that would meet the needs of all our clients and all health seekers, we will resist all attempt by the employer to undermine the interest and welfare of…nurses and midwives who are playing pivotal role in ensuring that Ghana by close of …2015 close the gap of deficit in the unacceptable level of infant and maternal mortality and HIV infection.”
Mrs Mary Opare Head of Nursing, Central University College, who chaired the function commended nurses for working tirelessly despite the odds and advised them to pursue their second degrees in nursing to enable them become fellows of the College of Nurses.
Source: GNA