Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has hailed Nigerian nurses on the occasion of International Nurses Day.
In a post on his official X account, Obi said it is indeed a high blessing for nurses to be the first and last to witness the beginning and end of life.
He said: “To our dear nurses, I use this International Nurses Day to join the global community to celebrate you for your immense contribution to our healthcare delivery.
“Today, we celebrate your continued dedication and commitment to this very noble profession that cares for the well-being of society, nurtures the health of all, and heals the wounds, pains, and infirmities of the sick and weak among us.
“A nurse, they say, opens the eyes of a newborn and gently closes the eyes of a dying man. It is indeed a high blessing to be the first and last to witness the beginning and end of life.
“We appreciate your immeasurable roles in our national development, especially in contributing to our health sector, a very critical contributor to our human development measured through the human development indices.
“I celebrate, in a special way, the various schools and colleges of nursing in our country, and every institution or organization contributing to nurses’ education.
“By your labours and sacrifices, our trained nurses have continued to make positive impacts both within the nation and in the international health sector.
“This day, therefore, belongs rightfully to you and offers us the opportunity to address some very germane concerns in the nursing profession.
“The shortage of nurses, even in global circles, has remained a burning issue that needs urgent attention. While the global community would need at least 13 million nurses to bridge the gap of nursing shortage by 2030, Nigeria would need at least 150,000 nurses to make up for such shortage.
“Investing in the training of more nursing professionals remains a very viable option that will help us, not only to produce enough nurses for our domestic health sector but have enough for export to the world.
“This informed my position against the decision of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to close down the verification of Nigerian nurses, thereby hindering them from accessing global opportunities.
“Investing in the training of more nurses remains a more viable option for addressing the acute shortage of nurses in the country. Once again, I encourage every Nigerian nurse, labouring through thick and thin, to ensure that we enjoy good health.
“We are not unaware of your sacrifices. The nation appreciates your efforts, and we celebrate you today. Together with you all, we will build the New Nigeria we desire because we believe it is land of limitless possibilities and it is within reach.”
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