Nursing Week 2025: 56 nurses, midwives honoured for exemplary service to local health sector

Fifty-six nurses and midwives from across Guyana were celebrated on Monday for their outstanding service and dedication to healthcare during the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Annual Nursing Awards Ceremony. The event, held at GPHC’s East Street entrance, marked the beginning of International Nurses Week 2025, celebrated globally from May 12–18 and nationally throughout the month of May.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, delivering the feature address, congratulated the awardees and all nurses across Guyana for their unwavering commitment, especially during a time of healthcare transformation. However, in an impassioned address, he also urged nurses to prioritise their own health and well-being — encouraging what he called a “health span,” not just a lifespan.
“We often counsel patients on the importance of nutrition, exercise, quality sleep and regular screenings. But we must ask ourselves: are we practicing what we preach?” he challenged the gathering.
Dr Anthony highlighted the dangers of ultra-processed foods, insufficient physical activity, and poor sleep hygiene, urging nurses to become advocates not only for their patients but for themselves. He also addressed the importance of meaningful social connections and mental well-being in achieving holistic health.
The Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the availability of preventative health services under the national Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system.
These include free mammograms, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings, human papillomavirus (HPV) tests, and access to the soon-to-be-introduced nine-valent HPV vaccine.
“We want people to schedule these things routinely so that you can go and get it done because if we detect early, we can obviously prevent some of the consequences of later detection. So, mammograms, this is a very important thing. And again, you as health care workers, you should be leading this. We shouldn’t be begging you to go and get mammograms. You should have this on your schedule to make sure that you go and do it because it is important to your health”.
“HPV is responsible for most cervical cancers, yet uptake of the vaccine remains low among adult women—even among healthcare providers. This has to change,” Dr Anthony emphasised.
The Nursing Week celebration he noted was not only a time for recognition but also a time for reflection and renewal. “As nurses, you have the ability to touch and transform lives every day. But to do that sustainably, you must care for yourselves with the same passion and diligence that you give to others.”
International Nursing Day is celebrated on May 12 each year.