A noble profession

International Nurses’ Day has been created so that we can honour and pay tribute to all the nurses around the world and the incredible work they do. It is crazy to think about a world without nurses. Who would be there to care for us when we’re not feeling well? Nurses bring so much to our lives, and the lives of the people that we love, and so it is only right that we have a day that honours them and recognises all of their efforts, their rights as human being too!International Nurses’ Day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale&#039;s birth. In fact, this entire week is regarded as Nurses’ Week; therefore, should you come across one, kindly tap them on the shoulder and do the best you can to honour their contributions to your community.Nurses have a very varied role and they are responsible for a number of different things in the workplace. This includes writing care plans for patients, assisting with evaluations and tests, setting up blood transfusions and drips, checking and administering drugs and injections, observing and recording the condition of patients. They also maintain patient records, mentor junior and student nurses, organise staff, and reassure patients and their relatives. This merely scratches the surface! From responding quickly to emergencies to planning hospital discharges and carrying out routine investigations, the list goes on. Nurses certainly have a huge role to play when it comes to the health and wellbeing of people all around the world.As we commemorate the Lady with the Lamp’s noble deeds, I send a clarion call to all nursing staff across Namibia to regroup, embrace oneness and the spirit of sacrifice towards ensuring that all our clients in totality are helped to restore their state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, especially in this era of insurmountable challenges like Covid-19. Let us continue being the light to those in the dark, the hope of the hopeless and reverse the grimacing face of those in agony.Nursing in itself is a victory over the patient’s heart without medical intervention. Nursing is the backbone of the health system all over the world. Having said that, all nurses on this day should be reminded that they are very important and their work plays a crucial role in national development, therefore let us keep the lamp burning.Today the world is evolving and as we are now serving a sophisticated world with artificial intelligence in place, the onus is on us all to ensure that we are equipped appropriately with necessary skills, technical know-how and acquainted with the fourth industrial revolution to be able to serve the society and make contribution to the internal dynamics of the health system accordingly. Take courses; enhance your skills through necessary training to be the catalyst of change in the fraternity. Furthermore, I implore our government to invest more in nursing through training, remuneration and provision of decent accommodation at all health facilities.Finally, I urge those in the management at any level in the nursing fraternity to be armed with courtesy, humility, empathy and a participatory approach. Lead the people in such a manner that they all feel safe and in harmony. A happy nurse means a competent, productive nurse and all in all a healthy populace.Happy Nurses’ Day to all nurses across the Land of the Brave!* Tauno Haufiku is a registered nurse in the ministry of health and social services.

A noble profession

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-23

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A noble profession

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-23

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