Emulate Florence Nightingale, Commissioner Tells Rivers Nurses

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker has urged Nurses in the State to tow the line of Florence Nightingale, a legend of modern nursing in order to deliver quality health care to the citizens.

The Commissioner who stated this during the opening ceremony of the 2009 International Nurses week in Port Harcourt said towards delivery quality service, nurses must be ready to lead in innovative health care delivery.

He urged them to embrace innovations as source of progress and also deliver some level of care since they work in all settings with all types of patients in the health system.

In her address, the chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Rivers State, Comrade Juliet Berewari expressed appreciation over the State Governors giant strides in healthcare system by equipping and renovating the existing primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the state.

As part of efforts to build a befitting secretariat for nurses in the State, the chairman NAANM appealed to the Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi to assist in the building of the Nurses Complex in the State.

“The Complex which she said cost over N380 million comprises a secretariat, shopping mall, clinic and school, noting that the project is ongoing but lacked funds for its completion.

She also advocated for the training of nurses to upgrade their skills and knowledge in the profession.

She also thanked the chairman, Abua/Odual local government area, Hon. Udisien Odum for ensuring that the state governmen’s massive health programme was felt in his dormain.

Earlier in his address, Dr. Godluck Azuonwu, epidemioligist and population health advocate, Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Port Harcourt enumerated some of the factors affecting quality care delivery by nurses as lack of quality staff and tools for the workers.

Others include continuing education programmes of nurses, and a legislation in support of operating home care services especially for individuals suffering from chronic health conditions and the aged ones.

“Globally, nurses are calling for a legislation in support of operating home care services especially for individuals suffering from chronic health conditions and the aged, noting that they are also asking for a legislative backup to prescribe certain drugs to make the hospital-at-home programme effective.