More than 60 employees who have worked with the Ministry of Health (MoH) for between 25 and 45 years have been recognised and rewarded for their long service and loyalty.
The employees were rewarded during a short ceremony held yesterday at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS) in the presence of President James Michel, Vice-President Danny Faure, Health Minister Mitcy Larue, ministers and principal secretaries, key officials among other guests.
A family planning nurse, Yvette Sinon, was recognised and rewarded for clocking more years of service with the ministry, a total of 45.
Nine employees who have clocked 40 years are Christina Bradburn, Ramo Bristol, Marina Hertel, Dinah Hibonne, Marie Jenny Camille, Isabelle Joubert, Wilna Bastienne Malvina, Jeanine Nourrice and Didier Philip Racombo.
Twenty-two employees have clocked 35 years of service; nine have clocked 30 years while 23 employees have clocked 25 years.
In her remarks, Minister Larue said that those being rewarded are the living proof that a life devoted for others has rich rewards.
She urged them to help the younger generation of health professionals, to guide them and to allow them to give the best of themselves.
She also recognised the challenges they face.
“We must improve our planning and coordination, not only in words, but also in deeds. Our success will depend on what we do as people, workers, and dedicated professionals and not on the facilities and equipment that we have to work with,” she said.
She also highlighted the status of diabetes in Seychelles as the theme for World Health Day is ‘Beat Diabetes’.
She said over 6000 Seychellois between the ages of 25 and 64 are diagnosed with diabetes and that over the past 25 years the level of men with diabetes has risen from 6.2% to 12% and for women it has increased from 6.2% to 11%.
She said this issue will be addressed further in her speech today during activities being held to mark World Health Day.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) liaison officer for Seychelles Dr Humphrey Karamagi also addressed those present.
Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Mrs Sinon said she feels happy and proud to have served all these years.
“Nursing is a career which I’ve always loved and I chose it voluntarily…as for my experience for the past 45 years I would say that in every job there are ups and downs and most of the time I found myself in situations which I had to cope with. Although at times I would encounter small difficulties I never felt alone because God is always beside me in whatever I do,” she said.
Her words of advice to the newly qualified nurses are to persevere and to continue in the profession they have chosen and also to do it with love.
Mr Racombo is a public health officer who has worked for the ministry since 1976 straight out from the Seychelles College.
He said to work in the health sector was not one of his first choices but he found himself drawn in so he continued and does not plan to stop until he retires.
“I’m very proud that I have reached 40 years as I have witnessed many new changes which have occurred since I joined until now on a national and management level,” he said.
The awardees received certificates and tokens from various sponsors such as Seychelles Trading Company (STC), Savoy Resort, Cable and Wireless, Pillay R Group, Airtel, Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay, and Air Seychelles.
President Michel, VP Faure and Minister Larue each received a token from the health workers.
Source : Seychelles NATION