By Ijoo Bosco
Eastern Equatoria State marked International Nurses and Midwifery Day with a call for greater professionalism and passion in the medical field.
The theme for the state celebration, held on Wednesday, was “Our Nurses, Our Future Economic Power; Midwives, a Vital Climate Solution.”
Dr. Etin Concord, Director General in the state ministry of health, applauded partner organizations for their role in making the event a success and for supporting the aspirations of nurses and midwives.
Dr. Concord described the celebration as a tribute to the compassion, dedication, and expertise of nurses and midwives who play a critical role in saving lives.
International Nurses and Midwifery Day is typically celebrated on May 5th or 12th. However, since both dates fell on a Sunday this year, Eastern Equatoria held their celebration on Wednesday in Torit town.
The day is observed annually to recognize the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives in safeguarding global health.
Otim Simon, president of the Eastern Equatoria state Nursing and Midwifery Association, highlighted the challenges faced by nurses and midwives in South Sudan, including economic hardship, domestic issues, and salary delays.
He appealed to the state government to acknowledge their tireless efforts in saving lives, particularly in remote areas.
“The situation nurses and midwives face, is critical,” said Mr. Otim. “At times, night shifts are understaffed due to salary delays. Nurses have families to support, but the economic crisis makes it difficult to balance work and home life.”
Otim stressed that the government needs to take serious action to recognize nurses and midwives who are serving the nation diligently.
“In hospitals currently, even if a nurse is willing to work, there may not be supplies available. Patients are sometimes told to purchase necessary items, which leads to frustration. Nurses and midwives face these patient abuses,” lamented Otim.
Tobia Magezi Omal, the principal of Torit Health Science Institutes, credited the formation of the Nurses and Midwifery Association with significant improvements in healthcare delivery.
He urged nurses and midwives to uphold their ethical principles while serving the state’s communities.
“We’ve seen a significant improvement in healthcare delivery, particularly with the decline in South Sudan’s urban mortality rates and the improved security situation in rural areas,” Magezi said.
He urged health workers to adhere to their medical ethics, not just in the workplace but also in your personal lives.
“You are not only nurses and midwives here; you are internationally recognized professionals who can work anywhere in the world,” Magezi expressed.