Africa-Press – Namibia. ZAMBEZI regional governor Lawrence Sampofu has urged nurses to further their studies to acquire scarce skills that would complement the government’s efforts of decentralising specialised medical services.
He said this last week during the regional celebration of International Nurses Day 2022 at Katima Mulilo.
The day is celebrated annually on 12 May.
The inspiration behind the day is the iconic Florence Nightingale, the British nurse and social reformer who dedicated her life to the improvement of the healthcare sector.
This year’s theme was ‘A Voice To Lead – Invest in Nursing and Respect Rights to Secure Global Health’.
In a speech read on his behalf by Katima Mulilo Urban constituency councillor Kennedy Simasiku, Sampofu said the government has entered into an agreement with Enkehuase Private Hospital at Katima Mulilo, involving that state patients have access to specialised services.
The governor said this was done in light of the government’s continued efforts to provide the people of the Zambezi region with quality healthcare.
“This is an answer to our plea to reduce travelling long distances in search of better healthcare, as services are now available in the Zambezi region. We further encourage nurses to advance their knowledge,” he said.
Sampofu expressed his gratitude to nurses for their hard work, while emphasising that the world needs their caring and loving hands now more than ever.
“Health systems worldwide are increasingly faced with a growing range of healthcare needs and financial constraints that limit potential services to strengthen the health sector infrastructure and workforce,” he said.
The chairperson of the Katima Mulilo management committee, John Ntemwa, said nurses often find themselves challenged to make sure patients are not left to fend for themselves.
“You always make sure we have a fighting chance to survive and overcome any sickness. Nurses, take a good look around you. You have saved our lives countless times. This town’s inhabitants are here, and others are strolling around because you cared, and that is why we are here with you today,” he said.
Ntemwa said nurses’ remarkable work was especially evident when the country was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has taken the lives of many loved ones.
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