Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 13, 2019 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis joined with the international community to celebrate International Nurses’ Day on May 12, which recognizes the tremendous contributions nurses have made and continue to make to the health care profession.
In her address to the nation to commemorate the day, Minister of State with responsibility for Health, Social Services, Community Development and Gender Affairs, Honourable Wendy Phipps, said that it is fitting to “publicly acknowledge the indispensable contribution that has been made – and continues to be made – by the nursing fraternity the world over in the magnanimous effort of helping to preserve health and restore wholeness and healing to our global citizens in a manner that is compassionate and professional, and designed to maintain at all times the dignity of the human person.”
This year’s celebration was observed under the theme “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Health for All”. The minister said that the theme was chosen by the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
“In large measure, this year’s theme builds on those chosen over the past few years wherein there was a deliberate intention to focus on the advocacy role nurses must perform on behalf of their patients, regardless of their socio-economic, cultural or political status,” she said.
Minister Phipps added that the theme “is a call to action for the global nursing fraternity to lend their voices to those of their counterparts in the healthcare industry – be they doctors, specialists, therapists, pharmacists and other technicians who together are charged with providing top quality, accessible health care services to all concerned, at every stage of the health care continuum.”
The minister noted that the expression “Health for All” resonates with the Government of National Unity.
“It is also clear that inclusion of the phrase “Health for All” in the 2019 theme of International Nurses’ Day is meant to show solidarity with premier bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) insofar as the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) ‘#3: Good Health and Well-being’ is concerned,” said Minister Phipps. “This message has particular resonance for the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis who has been actively engaged in the process of bringing to fruition Universal Health Coverage to all of our citizens.”
