The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Nurses: A Force for Change: improving health systems – Resilience
May 12, each year is commemorated as International Nurses Day across the world. The day is celebrated in memory of Florence Nightingale- the founder of modern nursing. Each year hospitals across the globe recognise the contribution of the nursing staff within their hospitals. Indian hospitals too, celebrate this day with great fanfare each year. This year the theme being Nurses: A Force for Change: improving health systems – Resilience recognises the growing importance of nurses in improving the healthcare system in India.
Leading hospitals from across the country today have organised various educational and cultural programmes to enhance the skill sets and recongnise the contributions of their nursing staff. Wockhardt Hospitals organised a cultural programme and award ceremony across all the facilities of Wockhardt: Vashi, Mira Road, Rajkot, Nagpur, Nashik, Surat, Goa. At Wockhardt hosptials, nurses who had served these hospitals for 5 -10 years were rewarded with gold coins and an ‘Excellence certificate’ with medal was awarded to outstanding performance by ‘Florence Nightingale Club’ of Wockhardt Hospital
Various programmes like nursing team pledge; cultural events like five minutes skit and dance performance, cake cutting etc were organised at all Wockhardt Hospitals for the nursing team. The initiative was a gesture from the hospital for nurses who care for their patients.
Apart from this, the group organises a Nursing Leadership Programme- a unique way to recognise the managerial dimensions in nursing to train potential leaders and train them in key competencies. Through this programme about 30 nurses are selected each year and are developed through a yearlong programme to develop managerial skills to create ‘Nurse Leaders’ who will handle key administration/ leadership roles. Nurses are not only developed in their core area of nursing care but other areas including finance, information technology, human resources etc.
Speaking about the need to acknowledge the efforts put in by nurses for patient care, Zahabiya Khorakiwala, MD, Wockhardt Hospitals, said, “We recognise the efforts that nurses put in tirelessly through their compassionate, life-changing contributions to the life of patients and their families. While we honour our nurses’ daily commitment to deliver patient-centered care, improve patient outcomes, we celebrate this day to recognise these efforts and reward them for the tireless work they perform.”
Susanna C, Corporate Head Nursing, Wockhardt Hospitals added, “Being at the forefront of patient care, acknowledging the efforts put in by nurses leads to improved patient care – which is our primary goal. This day is an extension to recognise the efforts that they put in throughout the year.”
Likewise P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre also recognised and commemorated the diverse roles played by nurses in improving the healthcare system’s resilience and enhancing healthcare delivery and quality. The hospital organised a conference in the hospital premise today which brought many stalwart faculties from the field of Nursing to share valuable insights while inspiring the nursing fraternity.
Motivating the nurses, Chief Guest, Dr Manali Londe, Director, Department of Students Welfare, University of Mumbai and Associate Professor in Philosophy, SK Somaiya College said, “At the core of healthcare is ‘Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshitam’ which means ‘Care plays a major role than Cure’. Nurses should impart care selflessly. Nurses are the first face for a patient and so every nurse should establish a good rapport with patients. The holistic approach and synergy between a doctor, nurse and the patient helps the patient respond faster. Nurses job is tough and so every nurse should lead a healthy life – a life of humility, humbleness, compassion and virtue.”
Adding to this, Usha Raheja, Trustee, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre said, “Nurses are the miracles of the world. They lead the change and are not only the caregivers but also leaders who inspire family, society and the world. Nurses are the epitome of faith and hope. At PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, we acknowledge every single step that the nurses take and honor their contribution in providing world class healthcare service delivery.”
In a similar manner, Fortis group of hospitals felicitated the unparalleled dedication and contributions of the nursing staff at their hospitals. “Nurses are an ineluctable part of the healthcare fraternity. They take care of the patients and act as their strength and moral support throughout their time at the hospital. Day or night, the nurses are always at the patients’ service. We at Fortis Hospitals ensure to create a viable and excellent working atmosphere for our nurses so that they can perform their duties, both personal and professional, to the fullest. Through such initiatives we intend to appreciate their persistent efforts and services rendered to our hospital and thank them for being a significant part of our institution,” said Vijayrathna V, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospitals.