Belmopan. May 8, 2020. 12:30 p.m.
Every year Belize celebrates Nurses Week from May 6th to 12th. The theme this year is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Nursing the World to Health.”
The week culminates on May 12th, International Nurses Day. International Nurses Day celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale: nurse, innovator, reformer, and leader of improved health care.
This year’s theme is an exciting opportunity to promote nursing across the world. The World Health Organization declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. It provides an additional platform for nurses globally as it showcases the unique contribution nurses provide to the wellbeing of the communities they serve.
The voices of nurses need to be heard to spread the word about this noble profession and how it contributes to the wellbeing of the world. As carers, healers, educators, and advocates, nurses are fundamental in the provision of safe, accessible, and affordable care. Nurses have always been and will continue to be central to health systems, especially in light of new and emerging infections such as COVID-19. COVID-19 has intensified the prevention, care, and essential services demanded of nurses and nursing has excelled as part of the frontline response to this virus.
“Your willingness, effort, and hard work you are doing is paying off. The community instinctively trusts and respects nurses more so now than ever amidst this pandemic,” expressed by Ms. Ann Matute, Acting Deputy Director of Health Services. “Thank you for caring and making that difference. We salute all nurses committed to nursing Belize to health.”
Activities for Nurses Week across the country had to be adjusted and postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry encourages the public to congratulate the nurses in their communities.
The Ministry of Health salutes all nurses on their special week.
Ends
