By Our Reporter.
Fellow Workers, I take this opportunity to welcome you back from the annual International Nurses Day Celebrations that were hosted in Arua City. It was an honor to speak to you all, as we celebrated the invaluable contributions of nurses towards the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. This year’s theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future” highlighted the importance of nurses in achieving universal healthcare for all.
For starters, let’s get to know about our work. A labour market is the structure that allows labour services to be bought and sold. In a labour market, those who seek to employ staff are the “buyers” and those who seek employment are the “sellers”.
A health labour market is a dynamic system comprising two distinct but closely related economic forces: the supply of health workers and the demand for such workers, whose actions are shaped by a country’s institutions and regulations.
Nurses have played a critical role in the healthcare system, and we have seen first-hand the impact of their work on the lives of our patients. The frontline workers who provide care and support to the sick and vulnerable, often going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EBOLA and others we have clearly highlighted the important role that nurses play in the healthcare system. They have been at the forefront of the fight against the virus, working tirelessly to care for patients and protect themselves and families. Despite the challenges, they have remained steadfast in their commitment to providing high-quality care to our patients allover Uganda.
As we celebrated the International Nurses Day, we had to remember the importance of investing in the nursing profession. We need to ensure that nurses have the resources and support they need to provide high-quality care to patients. This includes access to training and education, as well as the necessary equipment and resources to do their jobs effectively like Housing, Medical Insurance Covers among other.
Some of the great achievement and innovations through the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union is the Strong international and regional partnerships; Direct Relief – California USA who have provided support in terms of midwives kits- these have helped reduce infant and maternal motility to mothers and death at birth. An E_ learning system which is being used to train Nurses and Midwives allover Uganda o the best practices, Medical Insurance, Lobby for lunch allowance etc
It is worth noting that nurses and midwives are at particular risk of experiencing violence and harassment in the workplace. They often work in high-stress environments, deal with difficult and emotional situations, and may face verbal and physical abuse from patients, their families, and even colleagues.
The ILO C190 recognizes that violence and harassment in the workplace can have serious consequences for workers’ physical and mental health, as well as their job security and career prospects. The convention thus calls on governments, employers, and workers to take a number of measures to prevent and address workplace violence and harassment.
The Government is thus encouraged to ratify the convention and to take steps to implement its provisions in national law and policy. Employers and workers are also encouraged to take action to prevent and address violence and harassment in their workplaces.
We should also recognize the importance of the nurse leadership under the Uganda Nurses & Midwives Union in achieving universal healthcare for all. Nurses have a unique perspective on the healthcare system, and the Union has used their voice to advocate for policies and practices that have improve the health outcomes of patients and the wider community in Uganda.
In conclusion, I want to express my gratitude to all nurses and healthcare professionals for their dedication and hard work, and take this opportunity to ask the Government of Uganda to absorb the over 600 Frontline Workers who did a great job during the COVID19 time, and also, compensate those that lost life. Your contributions are invaluable, and you are the backbone of the healthcare system. Let us continue to work together to build a brighter future for healthcare, where nurses are empowered to lead and make a difference in the lives of our patients and the wider community ■
Happy Nurses Month! And Forthcoming Heroes Day
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY