…as Ekiti Nurses Celebrate 2023 Week In Grand Style.
By Udesinanna Stephen
For Nigeria to achieve its desired results in the health sector, government at all levels must come up with pragmatic policies and programmes that will enhance the well-being of Nurses as practiced in the developed world.
The Vice Chancellor, Achievers University Owo, Ondo State, Professor Omolola Irinoye stated this while delivering a Keynote address during the 2023 Nurses Week and Scientific Conference, tagged “Our Nurses: Our Future” held in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
According to Professor Irinoye, Nurses are critical to the survival of any health institution, adding that their services could not be quantified, hence the need to encourage them with good working environment, improved allowances, vacations, trainings and reduce their workload.
The Vice Chancellor who affirmed that the nursing profession is stressful and tasking, called on patients’ relatives to show love and respect to Nurses instead of harassing them.
She also advised Nurses to find time to rest and take good care of themselves, irrespective of what they might be facing.
In a remark, Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, represented by the State Coordinator for Widows and Orphanage Project, Mrs Oluwakemi Dairo commended Nurses in the state for their efforts towards ensuring access to quality healthcare services.
Dr Oyebanji said “Our Nurses have been at the forefront of the healthcare by providing critical care and hope for our people, their dedication to duty is an inspiration to us all.
Speaking at the event, Ekiti State Head of Service, Barrister Bamidele Agbede said the services of Nurses in Ekiti were valued, promising that the present administration would continue to do everything possible to improve their welfare packages.
Barrister Bamidele, who spoke through the Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Ayodele Seluwa affirmed that government had done a lot in the primary and tertiary healthcare levels, with a promise to do more.
Delivering the message from the National Secretariat, the Deputy General Secretary, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Comrade Oluwatoyin Ofere expressed worry over the increasing rate of brain drain in the health sector, urging government to encourage Nurses towards ensuring better service delivery.
Earlier, the Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM Ekiti State Chapter, Comrade Kunle Oni applauded the government of Ekiti State for supporting the profession, saying that the approval of the employment of Nurses into the Civil service with grade 10 level and promotional merits for Nurses were commendable.
The Ekiti NANNM Chairman also commended the appointment of Nurses as board members in some Tertiary Hospitals and the approval of in-service training for capacity building.
Dignitaries at the event include, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assemby, Rt. Hon. Steven Aribisoye, Chairman House Committee on Health, Ondo State House of Assemby, Dr Christopher Ogunlana, Director Nursing Services, Mrs Akute, Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Professor Kayode Olabanji among others.