GUYANA on Sunday joined the rest of the world in observing International Nurses’ week (May 11 through 17), under the theme ‘Delivering Quality, Serving Communities- Nurses leading primary health care’.

One of the activities to mark the occasion is honouring nurses for their contributions.

At a function held at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday to reward nurses, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Khan, noted that the GPHC recognises the commitment and hard work of the nurses in promoting health care in Guyana throughout the year.

Director of Nursing Services at the GPHC, Audrey Corey, urged the nurses to take their work seriously and continue to make a difference in health care.

Nurses are known for caring and therefore nurses must promote patient care and provide patients with the kind of care they deserve, Corey said.

Registered Nurse within the Cardiac Unit, Wayne Sealey, said nurses should be recognised since they are caregivers to the community and the country.

Government’s effort in providing training should be lauded since the hospital has been faced with migration of skilled nurses.

As part of the activity on Monday, the nurses were treated to lunch and were presented with tokens.

Many of the nurses expressed appreciation to the hospital’s Management for recognising their hard work and commitment to health care in Guyana.

They said that being a nurse at times can become challenging since there are limited resources. Nevertheless, they will continue to serve their country.

In observing International Nurses Week there will be a number of activities such as Religious services, community outreach, nurses’ conference and social evening for nurses.

International Nurses week is celebrated each year in May to raise the profile work of nurses in a variety of ways and events.

It is held to commemorate the birth of Florence Nightingale, a nursing pioneer who made many reforms to nursing and health care.

Nightingale worked during the Crimean War where she drastically cut the death rate amongst soldiers as a result of her hard work, dedication and training of fellow nurses.