The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Health day, which is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on the 7th of April, under the auspices of the World Health Organization, as well as other related organizations.
For the year 2020, the World Health Day’s focus is on the vital role played by nurses and midwives in providing health care around the world. This year’s theme was chosen to say “thank you” and to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives and to also remind world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy.
While talking to the Assistant Director of Nursing Services in LASUTH, Mrs Adebola Aina, who calls for more recognition for the nursing profession, also noted that the nursing profession is a noble one, and can only be practiced by someone with a large heart. Apart from taking care of people who are ill, disseminating health education, immunizing children; preventing sicknesses and diseases through creating awareness and giving advice to people are some of the other functions highlighted by Mrs Aina.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in agreement with the ADNS, pointed out the critical nature of the nursing profession, especially in the face of the pandemic.
“Nurses and other health workers are at the forefront of COVID-19 response – providing high quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears and questions and in some instances, collecting data for clinical studies. Quite simply, without nurses, there would be no response.”
Harping on the need for more training as one of the cogent ways to celebrate those in the profession, the ADNS made mention that the government can do a lot in giving nurses the opportunity to access training locally and internationally, “nurses would be more enlightened by experiencing what obtains in other climes and adapting it to their practice back home; and this can only be achieved when funds, grants and sponsorships are available.”
Other perks highlighted by Mrs. Aina that should be made available to boost the nursing profession include, “increase in salaries and provision of effective work tools.”
