The dedicated work of nurses has not gone unnoticed.
To end Nurses Week 2016, on Friday, May 13th, the Ministry of Health held a ceremony to recognize and honor the crucial role that nurses play in the health and wellbeing of communities.
The event took place at the conference room of the Acute Psychiatric Unit.
The Hon Health Minister was represented by Health Liaison Officer, Dr. Martin Christmas.
Dr. Christmas says the work of nurses is invaluable.
“We should all recognize that all of you are very important and deserve every bit [of praise] to be had,” he said to nurses. “Managers, level I or II nurses who are engaged in clinical practice in Dominica, I assume that all of you have been involved in some way in improving the quality of care which you deliver to your patients and I applaud you all for making healthcare and this Ministry worth the while.”
Principal Nursing Officer, Caesarina Ferrol, challenged nurses to do their best at all times.
“I challenge each nurse today to be a leader in your roles and positions and rise above the status quo influencing a new culture. Today, I want to encourage you to be each other’s keeper as it is said, a chain is as strong as its weakest link and there is strength in unity. You are therefore challenged in your various roles to be change agents.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helen Royer, outlined ways in which the Ministry has improved working conditions for nurses.
She listed, “remuneration of nurses with specialized post-basic training; the purchase of the necessary equipment for the improvement of the delivery of health care; refurbishment of several health facilities; contribution to post-graduate studies for nurses at all levels; implementation of the nursing session also during periods of nurse shortage, and the creation of several other nursing positions.”
The nursing session is an arrangement to fill the need in the absence of sufficient nurses on shift eg: sick day or vacation leave. Other nurses are called in to pick up the slack.
Tokens and certificates of appreciation were presented to each department of the Princess Margaret Hospital and to all the primary healthcare districts.
A special award was presented to the Principal Nursing Officer, Caesarina Ferrol, for her administrative work.
Special awards were also presented to nurses who make significant contributions to the healthcare system in Dominica.