By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Council of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives NANNM has on Wednesday flag-off 2021 Nurses Week celebration with award of recognition to some of its members.
Abdullahi Ali Danchuwa was recognized and awarded as the most influential Nurse of the year, Dauda Sulayman, Director Programme of the Yobe State Contributory Health Care Management Agency was awarded the most outstanding Nurse of the Year while Head of Department Nursing, Federal Medical Center, Nguru Best Nurse Leader of the year, Garba Husseini Karasuwa among others.
In his welcome address, Comrade Bala Sule, Chairman NANNM Yobe State Council said that it is an annual event started since (1965) at International Confederation of Nurses (ICN) Geneva Switzerland with over (3,000) Nurses across the 60 countries of (195) countries of United Nation participate states.
Since then, he explained that every year Nurses globally come together and take decision for redirecting the vision and mission of the profession in the International Nurses Week and to commemorate with administrators, social reformers, statisticians and strategic leaders the Modern Nursing profession.
Said he: – “As you are all aware, this annual event is usually celebrated all over the world in remembrance of the “Mother of Modern Nursing – the Lady with the lamp, Florence Nightingale” Born on 12 may 1820 and died on 13 August, 1910, she spent 90 years of productive and humanitarian life”.
“Nightingale has done so much in uplifting the image of Nursing Profession that brought it to the present day’s lime light. She is remembered as the one who laid the foundation for scientific and evidence-based Nursing practice that was built on the present generation of Nursing Practitioners all over the world”.
He further disclosed that “The year 2020 Nurses week was not celebrated due to sudden outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic, even though WHO had declared that year as ” the year for the NURSES” This was to appreciate the immense contributions by the Nurses in the health care delivery system globally. Every year Nurses week comes with the theme that gives the profession the vigor to work diligently to save lives and promote healthy living.”
Sule revealed that there has been very cordial working relationship between the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives and health care system in the state, since from the inception of this administration. “This was not unconnected with the support and understanding we receive from current leadership. I am sure this will continue forever as we are partners in progress to the apparent laudable policies and programs of the honest, sincere, and hardworking Governor of Governors in the country. Honourable Mal Mala Buni, May Allah be with him and his able cabinets.”
“Honourable commissioner sir, your concern, and commitment in fostering unity, peace and progress to all the health professionals is no doubt a genuine commitment on your part as a compassionate and humble leadership style who listens and understands the yearnings of the common health workers and professional groups under your supervision.
It is therefore not out of place to mention some of the laudable gesture and achievements of the Commissioner for Health (Dr Mohammed Lawan Gana, under the watch of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State Mai Mala Buni, we appreciate him for his landmark achievements in the health sector in just less than two years in office which has directly impacted on the lives of the citizenry of the state and the Nursing family.”
Some of the efforts he mentioned are sponsoring of NANNM officials for Advocacy and sensitization campaign to all health workers in the secondary health facilities across the state during first phase of COVID-19.
“Sponsoring of (100) Nurses for Mandatory Continue Professional Development Program (MCPDP) through SOMLP for R to help them fast Track their licenses renewal and updating their skills and practices. 3 Supported NANNM through SEMA for the distribution of palliative to Heroes and Heroine Nurses frontline health workers in State”.
“Sponsoring of our teaming Nurses for study in Intensive care and special baby care competency in Lagos and ABU Zaria Kaduna State Assisted NANNM in sponsoring candidate to contest and win the position of National first vice President of our Noble association NANNM in recently concluded National Delegate conference in Abuja in person of (Comrade Alhaji Abdulaziz Usman)”.
Speaking on the challenges and demands of the teeming Nurses in the state, the NANNM Chairman lamented “Non-skipping of CONHESS 10 and dropping 2 grade level CONHESS is only to drop 1 grade level e.g. GL. 14 is CONHESS 13, GL 13 is CONHESS 12, this is practically everywhere, because the court of competent jurisdiction has already passed a judgment in regarding to that, Federal government of Nigeria and most of the states in federation adhered to that, backed by circular attached by the office of head of service of the federation dated 21 June,2011, but sir up till now is yet to be implemented in Yobe state, sir we therefore hope that your good office will address this issue once for all. Migration of Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery to the University for B.Nsc program”.
“Sir, as your reliably aware N&MCN has given a date line of 2023 for all hospital base schools of Nursing to either affiliate or assimilate with the nearest University and commence degree program, or NBTE as the last option for states that do not have a university proximal to them and even this option has a time limit (Awka Declaration of 16 April 2019)”.
“Yobe State Nurses are appealing to your good office to facilitate speedy commencement of B.Sc program in the Yobe state university in order to achieve the global base practice”.
Responding, the Yobe State Commissioner Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana threw kudos to the Chairman of NANNM for the exemplary leadership which according to him enabled successes in the health sector of the state.
He urged the Nurses to continue to mentor the young Nurses in the profession “we have to shape our attitudes”.