Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and its partners join the world in recognising International Nurses Day, which falls on May 12.
This day is an opportunity to observe the invaluable contribution of nurses to the healthcare industry and to celebrate their hard work, dedication and commitment to improving the health of individuals and communities worldwide.
This year’s theme for International Nurses Day is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future’, which emphasises the vital role that nurses play in shaping the future of health care. It also highlights the need for nurses to take an active role in advocating policies that support their profession and improve the health outcomes of their patients.
The Ministry of Public Health recognises the contributions of the local and international nurses in Qatar and around the world.
Dr Salih Ali Al Marri, assistant minister for Health Affairs of the Ministry of Public Health, stressed the pivotal role of nurses in providing high-quality health care, and the dedication in performing their professional and humanitarian duties, which was clear during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role that nurses play in delivering healthcare services to those in need. Qatar’s healthcare system owes a great deal of gratitude to its nurses, who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to care for patients and support public health efforts.”
"Our public healthcare sector, represented by Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation, is keen to provide a stimulating environment for nurses and midwives to work, and to emphasise the importance of professional development,” added Dr Marri.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations (NNAs), representing 28 million nurses worldwide, and Qatar is represented through the Qatar Nurses Association.
ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano said, "’Our Nurses. Our Future.’ sets out what ICN wants for nursing in the future in order to address the global health challenges and improve global health for all. We need to learn from the lessons of the pandemic and translate these into actions for the future that ensure nurses are protected, respected and valued.”
With the release of the State of the World’s Nursing report, the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing & Midwifery, Sustain and Retain in 2022 and Beyond and many other important publications, ICN and other organisations have shown the evidence for change and called for action and investments in nursing. It is now time to look to the future and demonstrate what these investments will mean for nursing and healthcare. The ‘Our Nurses. Our Future.’campaign will shine the light on nurses and on a brighter future.