Nurse and midwives, other health practitioners, colleagues and members of the public attended a religious ceremony yesterday at the Good Shepherd Church to mark this year’s International Nurses’ Day which falls today.
The theme for this year is ‘Nurses: A force for change: Improving health system’s resilience’.
It was in January 1974 that May 12 was chosen to celebrate International Nurses’ Day as it is the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is widely considered the founder of modern nursing. Each year the International Council of Nurses (ICN) prepares and distributes the International Nurses’ Day Kit which contains educational and public information materials for use by nurses everywhere.
In his sermon, the parish priest Father Louisson stressed on the importance of giving rather than receiving which he said aptly applies to the nurses’ vocation.
He also explained the difference between nursing and someone in another profession who, according to him, in most circumstances is not ready to give extra hours.
“It is more pleasant to give than to receive. There is much more happiness in giving than in receiving,” he said, expressing Jesus’ words.
He therefore urged all to use the opportunity God has given us to do greater things for others.
The chairperson of the Nurses’ Association of Seychelles (Nars), Rosie Bistoquet, described nursing as honourable and dignifying and that midwives and nurses are the supporting structure upon which the house of practicing medicine stands.
As for the religious ceremony, she said it was a special occasion for nurses and midwives in Seychelles as they joined with other health professionals, friends and the community of Seychelles to give thanks to our Creator, God the Almighty, in the spiritual blessings.
“The main event bringing us together today is special. Special because it touches each and everyone across the life span. We cannot talk about health without the medical, nursing and midwifery professions. These professionals have vocation of service and whether in big cities or remote areas, we are always present. We only have to transmit that through a smile which makes people feel that everything will be all right,” she said.
She also passed on the message from ICN asking nurses all over the world to be a force for change to improve the health system’s resilience.
She ended up by extending warmest wishes to all nurses and midwives both in Seychelles and across the globe while also honouring her colleagues who have retired or left the profession.
Source : Seychelles NATION