Local nurses to be celebrated in activities that coincide with Int’l Nurses Day

St. Kitts and Nevis will join with the rest of the world in celebrating nurses, on May 12, International Nurses Day.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead- Health for All.”

This year’s celebration in support of nurses comes on the heels of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calling for regional governments to invest in nurses to improve their availability, distribution and roles.

PAHO says that nursing staff represent the largest health workforce, accounting for more than 50 per cent of health workers.

“Despite this, however, the lack of nurses in most countries in the Region compromises the global goal of achieving health for all by 2030,” the health organization revealed.

As part of the local activities to celebrate the profession 72 nursing and allied staff members of the Joseph N. France General Hospital are be recognised for their overall performance and attendance in the year 2018, today, Friday May 10, at the Annual Luncheon and Awards Ceremony.

The Ministry of Health has indicated that “these nursing and allied staff awardees are being recognised in several categories, such as Perfect Attendance and Near Perfect Attendance. Special Awards will also be distributed to staff who has been Most Helpful and Most Improved, with divisional awards being bestowed on the Most Outstanding Unit and Unit of the Year.”

Other activities planned in recognition of International Nurses’ Day 2019 include the following:

Official National Address by the Minister of Health, Hon Wendy C. Phippson Sunday, May 12th (which coincidentally is also Mothers’ Day);

Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 10th at St. Barnabas Anglican Chapel on Fort Thomas Road, Basseterre.

All-day, Nursing Symposium on Monday, May 13th at JNF General Hospital’s classroom, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; and

General Election of a new Board for the St. Kitts Nurses’ Association on Friday, May 24th.