BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation’s nurses came in for high praise for their exemplary work when they celebrated Nurses Week that ended yesterday (May 12) and which coincided with the International Nurses Day.
In a statement in recognition of International Nurses Day, Junior Minister of Health Hon. Wendy Phipps said the Government has recognised the “invaluable” service of nurses in St. Kitts and Nevis,whether they are in the public or private sectors.
“Our Government also realises that without nurses our national health infrastructure will come to a grinding halt. It is the committed and dedicated service of our institution and community-based nurses that has been responsible – to a great extent - for the significant strides that we continue to make in the critical area of public health and wellness.”
Celebrated under the theme ‘Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’, Minister Phipps noted that it is imperative that members of the nursing fraternity continue to improve upon their professionalism – both individually and collectively – in order to render the high-quality care that is always required in the health care industry.
Further, she stated that nurses also have a responsibility to serve as good examples to the younger generations who might be seriously contemplating the pursuit of a career in that field.
Currently, there are some 330 nurses employed in the public sector of St. Kitts and Nevis.
According to the Minister, most of those nurses are employed within the major health care institutions.
“This means that their employment is performed, by and large, at our Federation’s four hospitals and the two state-run senior care facilities, namely the Cardin Home on St. Kitts and the Flamboyant Home on Nevis. The other 23% of our nurses are employed at our nation’s 17 health centers.”
Opposition MPs, as well as the President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Trades and Labour Union, had thrown their voices in the mix.
Looking into the future, the Junior Minister explained that nurses in 193 countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis, would be playing a critical role in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“Given the advanced state of development attained in our own Federation, we are well on our way to meeting these international benchmarks. To accomplish this however, effort is required by each and every citizen doing his or her part. It also calls for strong leadership, commitment and investment from Government, the private sector and civil society organisations and institutions. Insofar as the nursing profession is concerned, it is obvious that its membership’s key role in meeting these SDG targets would be Goal Number Three which calls for Good Health and Well-being.
However, in spite the high praise, some nurses have been complaining about the treatment they are receiving in terms of wages and salaries.
Many have taken to social media to voice their concern about the treatment being meted out to them.
