11 May 2015 | Health.
I would like to salute the work of the midwives and nurses on the occasion of the international celebrations of their professions on the 5th and 12th May, respectively.
I congratulate all nurses and midwives, past and present, for their enormous contribution towards the health and well-being of Seychellois babies, men and women, and their families.
The professions of nursing and midwifery in Seychelles have long and fascinating histories. Early on, nurses and midwives defied all odds to bring much needed care to people. They walked, rode bicycles and motorcycles. They did whatever needed to be done to accomplish their duties.
Over the years, nursing and midwifery care have evolved. There are new challenges but the pivotal role played by the devoted nurses and midwives in the promotion of our nation’s health remains the same.
We are in 2015, the year nations of the world are accounting for the progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Three of the eight MDGs set health care targets, namely in child mortality reduction, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In commemorating nursing and midwifery we also celebrate our millennium health achievements. Let us thank our midwives and nurses for their dedication, the care they provide with such passion and abnegation, and for making such a profound difference in the lives of our people. The Seychellois people truly appreciate their work, professionalism and kindness.
The Nurses Day theme this year is “Nurses a Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost Effective”. The theme is extremely relevant worldwide, as we all work to improve care quality and make health care as sustainable as can be. It emphasizes the need for nurses and midwives to drive improvements in the provision of care and the attainment of optimal patient and population outcomes.
Government’s commitment to enhancing the competencies and skills of the nurses and midwives will remain strong. We will continue to empower them to face the new challenges ahead and meet the expectations of the public they serve. My government will continue to invest heavily in the training and re-training of all our health professionals. We will continue to spearhead quality development of our health system.
I call on all nurses and midwives to take a moment to reflect on this year’s theme and be a real force for positive change, to bring about the best health outcomes to our citizens.
I call on our people to honour and respect our nurses and midwives for all the work they do. Let us show them how much they are appreciated.
I wish all the nurses and midwives happiness and every success on their special day.
