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Nurses presenting a songduring the celebration of International Nurses Day at Kohima on May 12. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 12 (EMN): “In garb of spotless white, we dress/and purity of life express...with gentle hands, the sick to serve/attending all with heart and nerve/from duty’s path we shall not swerve/ in danger’s hour...to help suffering humanity/we live to serve.”
These are the words to an ‘anthem’ sang by a group of nurses during the celebration of International Nurses Day on the theme ‘Nurses: a void to lead – health is human right’ at DBT Hall in Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima (NHAK) on May 12.
With at least 400 million people globally stated to be lacking access to one or more essential health services, S Tiakala Longkumer, a ‘nursing tutor’ at the School of Nursing (SON), NHAK – speaking on the theme – said the right approach to health system needs to be responsive to both local and national priorities and be accessible to all.
At the same time, she maintained that the principles of health system based on the right to health are concerned with its outcomes and processes which are transparent, participatory and without discrimination.
Highlighting more on the theme of the celebration, Longkumer asserted that it was important for the nurses to know the right to health as an approach to healthcare stating that this particular approach to health system was evidence-based and ‘an important proven way of improving health and equity within a population’.
While pointing out that each person has intrinsic values and an expression of humanity, she maintained that there are numerously legally binding obligations related to the right for the highest attainable health.
Therefore, she said nurses have a critical contribution to make; need to make a decisive contribution ‘as they possess scientific reasoning, philosophical underpinnings and proximity to the patient, family and community’.
And for the success of universal health coverage, Longkumer reminded that it is important to include forming and fostering partnerships with individuals, communities, policymakers, government and other health professionals to modify the effects of the social determinants of health and to conceptualise health providers inclusive of the community to develop, innovate models of health service delivery.
Health services should be accessible, effective and people-centric while health workforce should be responsive and efficient, she stated. There should be equitable access, assured quality, scientifically sound and cost effectively used medical products, Longkumer added.
As nurses are well trained and educated for maintaining the health and wellness of humanity, she said they are the key to delivering the best healthcare services. Towards this end, she called upon the nursing community to join hands in transforming healthcare and health system so that no person is left behind.
“Let us join our voices together to be a voice to lead by supporting people-centred approach to healthcare and health system and ensuring that our voices are heard in influencing health policy, planning and provision,” said Longkumer.
Gracing the programme as a special guest, legislator Keneizhakho Nakhro acknowledged the ‘selfless services of the nurses’ and said: ‘behind every good doctor, there is a great nurse.’
Stating that their choice of nursing as a profession was not by default as they are well aware of the several hazardous challenges to performing their responsibility, he maintained that it was ‘god who has made a beautiful destiny for the nurses to serve and care for humanity’.
Though at times ‘society may have failed to give due respect and reward their sacrifices and dedication’, Nakhro encouraged them stating that ‘there can be no greater satisfaction than to be there for the people, in time of their needs and despair’.
He also urged them to continue to serve with sincerity and dedication.
In commemoration of the International Nurses Day, Rita Angami was conferred with the award of the ‘Nurse of the year’ while Hosavino was awarded in recognition of her sincerity and dedication to her service.
