President of the Dominica Nurses Association (DNA) Yolanda Rodney-Jno Baptiste has said that nurses should be recognized and rewarded for their efforts.
According to her, nursing is a selfless profession that requires a sincere, heartfelt dedication to service and the support of others.
“Nurses bring so much to your lives and the lives of the people that you love and the country that we serve,” she said. “And so it is only right that we are recognized and rewarded for our efforts.”
She continued, “In doing so, we request of you to create a more conducive working environment and provide greater incentives to retain the few nurses left on the island and who continue to fight to protect the future for nursing in our beloved country.”
Jno- Baptiste said Dominica needs nurses more than ever as these nurses continue to work to keep the country’s chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) under control and prepare for the evolution of diseases with unknown etiology.
“Do something to protect the future of nurses and for nursing in Dominica,” Rodney- Jno Baptiste encouraged.
She added, “We would like for other Caribbean countries and the world by extension to envy the nursing fraternity of Dominica and to be eager to join us like we are eager to join the UK [United Kingdom] the US [United States] and Canada.”
Meanwhile, Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services Cassanni Laville said the government has made significant investments in providing the required infrastructure in technology, skills training as well as equipment and supplies.
“We trust that these investments are evidence of the value we place on our nurses and the important role that they play. And we will continue to do a lot more as we continue to make our nurses a priority,” he stated. “But while we actively work towards this end, I would like to make a special appeal to you and your deep sense of compassion in providing care.”
He described the role of nurses as extremely important in society.
“No other healthcare profession has such a broad and far-reaching role,” Laville indicated.
Furthermore, he stated that nurses provide care to many who are vulnerable and are at their lowest to those who even at times refuse care, “and with all of your responsibilities you are required to work long hours and with difficulties at times, but you must not lose sight of the need to do your best in ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare with compassion to those in need.”
On May 12, Dominica joined the rest of the world to observe International Nurses Day under the theme: “Our Nurses. Our Future”.
Does the main Dominica hospital have a helicopter, if not why not. A helicopter would help greatly with transportation to and from the hospital saving time and even bringing patients to neighboring islands if need be.
Give us statistics and tell us how many nurses leave Dominica each year. Cause our nurses are running away from that small salary.