INTERNATIONAL NURSES  DAY OBSERVED IN KENEMA.

Kenema, May 17, 07 (MOHS) - Sierra Leone has joined other countries the world over to observe International Nurses Day on the theme: “Positive Practice Environment, Quality work places equal quality Patient Care”.

Nurses At the International Nurses Day Opening Ceremony.( Front In The District Medical Officer, Dr. Yankuba Bah)

Delivery his keynote address at the Annual Conference and Fifth Scientific Symposium organized by the Sierra Leone Nurses Association at the Holy Trinity Hall in Kenema, the Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Ibrahim Sesay described this year’s theme as timely and appropriate noting that it raises awareness among all stakeholders including those in the nursing profession to articulate quality health care in our health facilities.

He said the current situation is a global concern and implored both medical practitioners and policy makers to address what he referred to as the serious deficiencies in the health work place environment.

Mr. Sesay told his audience that a well motivated and sustained work place is that of a high spirit of team work, management commitment to nursing services, strong leadership and competitive salary and benefits. He also underscored the importance of an adequate and qualified trained personnel in the  service delivery, adding that quality patient care cannot be realized without paying attention to patient safety.

The Acting Minister of Health also noted that several actions are required to reduce the risk of harm to patients, pointing out that things like recruitment process, training and retention of health care professionals performance level ,environmental safety and many more, are evidence based factors that addresses both the human and infrastructural  systems.

He called on the Sierra Leone Nurses Association to critically assess their tasks and performances with a view to including lobbying for  recognition and recommendations that promote Nursing role, defining the scope of nursing practice so as to create awareness about new development in the profession.

Mr. Sesay reiterated government’s continued commitment to providing affordable and accessible health care to its citizens by creating a conducive working environment for its entire workforce including the nursing profession.

The Human Resources Director in the Health Ministry and Guest Speaker, Dr Anthony Sandi noted the significant role nurses play in the medical services and assured his audience that government is poised to make them resourceful both in the area of human resource development and institutional capacity building .

The Director of Hospitals and Laboratory Services, Dr. Kisito Daoh, described the brain drain in the nursing profession as chronic and dramatic noting that the external migration of nurses from Sierra Leone in search of greener pastures has worsened the situation.

He said the current shortage is undermining the goals of the health system globally and challenging the ability to meet the needs of the citizens and the millennium Development   Goals.

Dr. Daoh described  a healthy work environment as a practice setting that maximizes the health and well- being of nurses quality patient outcomes and organizational performance, adding that when there are more nurses available to care for patients, stress is less of an issue.

The Resident Minster East, Sahr Randolph Fillie Faboi commended nurses in Sierra Leone for their selfless services noting their constraints.

He also lauded the Health Ministry for its strides to making affordable health care services available nation wide, hoping that discussions during the symposium would be frank and resourceful to chat the way forward as government places high premium on quality health care delivery services for the citizens of this country.

Vice President Sierra Leone Nurses Association Sheiku Alhaji Koroma Delivering His Speech On Behalf Of The Outgoing President, Miss Patricia Abu.

The Vice President of the Sierra Leone Nurses Association, Sheikh Alhaji Koroma noted that health system worldwide are increasingly challenged and faced with a growing range of health needs and financial constraints that limit services potential to strengthen health sector infrastructure and workforces.

He appealed to government to critically assess their poor conditions of service which he said if improved would facilitate proper accountability and an improvement in patients care.

Other speakers include representatives of WHO, UNFPA, the West African College of Nursing Sierra Leone Chapter, the Kenema District Council Chairman, Mr. Pastrick Samu, and the Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Marina John who chaired the occasion.