International Nurses Day observed
Morung Express news
Kohima | May 12
Commissioner and Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Department, Y Kikheto Sema, today said about 60% of the staff in the health department were non-technical employees and only 40% were technical staffs which include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians etc.
He was speaking at the International Nurses Day under the theme 'Our Nurses, Our Future' organized by the Trained Nurses Association of India, Local Branch at Multipurpose Hall, NHAK today.
In a department responsible for taking care of the health sector, Kikheto opined that majority of the staffs otherwise should be technical staffs instead of the non technical.
In Nagaland, therefore, shortage of nurses is a contributing force to the dearth of frontline healthcare workers, he said.
As per the Indian Public Health System (IPHS), there are only 1797 nurses in the state, out of which 952 are staffs nurses and 845 are ANM nurses, which are below the requirement of the state.
While pointing out that out of the total number, only 21 were male, Kikheto stressed on the need for more male nurses in this sector.
He also pointed other visible problem in the health department like land ownership. He further admitted that there were huge numbers of health centers than actually required.
Lauding the contribution of nurses, Kikheto underscored that "nursing is a profession with high standards and a strong sense of public service and is among the largest health care profession in the world."
The roles, he mentioned were taking care of patients, assisting with evaluations and tests, setting drips, checking and managing drugs and injections, observing and recording the condition of patients among others.
Observing that nurses comprise 70% of the global health workforce, Kikheto said the greatest threat to global health is the shortage of workforce. Sharing these observations, he added on the need to invest in nursing sector at the same time promote gender equality. Hence, to meet the healthcare challenges of the future, "investment in nursing is of great importance," he said.
Expressing hope that such sectors would not remain disregarded, he informed that the government of India has approved for upgradation of School of Nursing to Nursing College.
"We hope to start the first Govt Nursing College in near future," the commissioner revealed.
Principal, School of Nurses, NHAK, Tiakala Longkumer giving introduction on the theme said it is a call to strengthen the health system and to invest in nurses to address the growing health care demands. "It is a call to support our nurses for ensuring a strong future for the profession, investing in nursing education and training, provide adequate resources and support for nurses in the workplace, address the root cause of nursing shortages and lack of professional development and opportunities.”
She also encouraged the nurses to speak with one voice and learn to develop advocacy and leadership skills so that they can become visible and valuable in the eyes of policymakers, public and all those who make decisions affecting the delivery and financing of healthcare.
Earlier, lighting of the lamp was initiated by Kepelhoutsei-ü, Nsg. Superintendent, NHAK.
The programme was chaired by Alula Walling, Secretary Finance, TNAI, Local Branch and Pezalhouwheno, President, TNAI, Local Branch delivered the welcome address. Student Nurses, NHAK presented song.
