The Tribune

THE elevation of nursing professionals in New Providence and the Family Islands is significant as the government strives to fulfill its mandate of easy accessible and affordable healthcare throughout the country, said Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands.

During a programme to celebrate the promotion of registered and trained clinical nurses in the Department of Public Health at the Ministry of Health on Thursday, Dr Sands said everyone knows that human resource is the lifeblood of any organisation.

"I am fully aware of the magnanimous contributions nurses make in the provision of healthcare services throughout our commonwealth," he said.

"I have also stated my commitment to ensure that nurses are treated with dignity and given the respect they so rightly deserve. Nurses in the Department of Public Health are often unsung heroes and heroines, but this will change and change soon."

The nursing professionals were promoted as follows: one principal officer, two deputy principal officers, 15 senior nursing officers, 16 nursing officers grade 1, 19 nursing officers grade II, and 14 senior and trained clinical nurses.

Dr Sands also highlighted the success of a sustained 90 per cent plus immunisation coverage to the country's vulnerable population.

He said it his belief that with a stronger focus on home visits by healthcare professionals, the number of clients visiting the hospitals will decrease.

He added that as the government reviews the implementation of National Health Insurance, especially catastrophic care, the nurses' contributions will be extremely important.