Nursing Week 2024: 11 nurses honoured for exemplary contributions to Guyana’s healthcare sector

…Nurses and Midwives’ Council urged to host research conference

The Nurses and Midwives Council of Guyana on Tuesday presented awards of appreciation to 11 nurses and midwives from across Guyana, for their exemplary contributions to the advancement of Guyana’s healthcare sector.
The activity which was held at Cara Lodge, is part of the International Nurses Week festivities, which is being celebrated from May 6 – May 12.
The week is just a part of the larger Nurses Month, which is celebrated throughout the month of May.

Every year, nurses and midwives are recognised for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients nationwide.
It also provides a platform to highlight their leaders and support to staff as they address key challenges facing the nursing workforce.
This year’s theme is “Our Nurses. Our Future, The Economic Power of care”.
Among those honoured were nurses and midwives who served in the healthcare system for over 30 years, and worked diligently to ensure patients receive optimal care.
Additionally, several nurses were honoured for their longstanding contributions to education, practice, and retirement.
Chief Medical Officer at the Health Ministry, Dr Narine Singh congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their services, which he noted is the backbone of Guyana’s healthcare system.
“You are not only healthcare providers, you serve as administrator, advocates, you’re also community leaders, some of you are tutors, and some of you serve in different roles while in the nursing capacity,” CMO said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony congratulated the nurses and midwives and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavor, this including additional training.
On this point, he underscored to need for a nursing research conference and urged the Nurses and Midwives Council to commence plans for the event, which will likely be held at the end of 2024.
“You’re the ones that have to drive it and get people to come and make presentations and this like that. Why are all these things important, apart from getting people more knowledgeable and so that we can have better quality of practice and so forth. The way that we are practicing medicine is going to change drastically in Guyana,” the health minister said
According to Dr Anthony, the medical field is constantly evolving and staying abreast with new discoveries, treatment methods and medicine is one of the ways Guyana can achieve a resilient worldclass healthcare system.
“Very soon people from the surrounding areas are going to be looking at Guyana as the example and we want you as nursing leaders to help us to transform the sector, many of you have had many years in the sector and we want you to help us,” Dr Anthony added.
Among those present at the ceremony were, the Chairperson of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Nicola Nero; President of the Nursing Association, Donnett Graham-Gullin; Deputy Director of the Health Sciences Division, Chandroutie Persaud and other members from the council. (G1)