By Philip Tengzu
Wa, (UW/R), May 28, GNA – Nurses and midwives have been encouraged to exemplify the values and principles Florence Nightingale espoused, which earned her recognition as the founder of the nursing and midwifery profession.
They have been entreated to translate her attributes into functional, meaningful and practical actions to save lives and put smiles on the faces of clients.
Dr. George Segnitome Yaw, a retired Principal of the Nurses Training College, Wa, gave the encouragement in Wa during the regional climax of the Nurses/Midwives Week celebration organised by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
Members of the Association across the region, representatives of sister unions and civil society organisations, among others, attended the event, which was on the theme “Nurses and Midwives, Our Future: Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens Economies.”
Dr. Segnitome, who chaired the event, described Florence Nightingale as a committed and hardworking individual who sacrificed her life to care for the needy, especially soldiers at the warfront on the Island.
He indicated that her distinguished service earned her a Royal Red Cross certificate and an Order of Merit award after the war by the United Kingdom.
Dr. Segnitome said though nurses and midwives were said to be trusted professionals in the world, the attitudes of some nurses and midwives had put the image of the profession into disrepute.
He attributed that to protocol admissions, protocol assessments during, and at terminal examinations, and protocol postings.
“The resultant outcomes are the acts of omissions and commissions, leading to patients’ abuse and neglect,” he added.
He advocated for investments in higher education for nurses and midwives, which would translate into quality service delivery and improved health outcomes.
Mr Lawrence Bagrmwin, the Upper West Regional Chairperson of the GRNMA, indicated that the celebration served as an opportunity for nurses and midwives to renew their professional vows in healthcare service delivery.
He said despite the commitment of nurses and midwives to service, they were faced with challenges that impaired their efforts to deliver.
He said the challenges include a limited number of nurses and midwives, emotional and psychological stress and poor welfare, among others.
He, therefore, stressed the need for government and other stakeholders to pay critical attention to the mental health needs of nurses and midwives.
Mr Bagrmwin also appealed to the government to implement the agreed conditions of service for nurses and midwives to help enhance their welfare.
Seventeen nurses and midwives were honoured at the celebration in recognition of their distinguished service while four people received special awards.
Ms. Florence Darimaani, a Public Health Nurse in the Jirapa Municipality emerged as the Regional Best Nurse/Midwife for 2025.
Ms. Gertrude Guoltir, a nurse in the Wa Municipality, and Mr Isaiah Biiso, a nurse in the Wa West District, emerged as the first and second runners up respectively.
Ms. Salamatu Yahaya, a midwife at Danyawkura in the Wa East District, was adjudged the Regional Best Midwife for 2025.
GNA
Edited by CAE/ Benjamin Mensah