Role of nurses vital in health service delivery: Minister Rana

Kathmandu, Aug 3: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba acknowledged the crucial role of nurses in delivering health services.     

Addressing a programme organized by the Free Student Union of the Maharajgunj Nursing Home here today, Minister Rana hailed nurses as the main pillar of public health sector in a country like Nepal where doctors are not always accessible.     

Rana further said, "From rural settlements to urban hospitals, nurses' service, commitment and compassion towards the patients have become the foundation of Nepal's public healthcare system. Their involvement is essential to ensuring availability of public health and basic healthcare service."     

The Minister noted that nurses not only treat the patients but also boost their morale, respond during emergencies and offer critical consultations which, she added, had contributed significantly in expanding Nepali citizens' access to healthcare, improving maternal and child health and increasing awareness of health education even in rural areas.     

To further strengthen healthcare system in the country, she emphasized the need to better support nurses by providing them with adequate incentive, service security, timely training and equip with technical resources.     

"The nursing profession should not be limited to service delivery alone. It should be evolved into a dynamic trained health activist. Nurses' role is indispensible to ensure an inclusive, accessible and quality healthcare service," Minister Rana viewed.     

Reflecting her own experience of leading maternal and child health campaign through the Safe Motherhood Network in the past, the Minister mentioned, "We have achieved a notable improvement in the maternal health sector".     

However, she called for advancing nursing profession in timely manner with resources and facilities to achieve more progress in this sector.     

The Minister also suggested the nursing graduates to focus on practical education and uphold the trust of the patients through compassionate service.     

Expressing her concern over the increasing exodus of Nepali nurses to foreign shores, she asserted, "I will not comment on the fact that you are going abroad in appeal of better prospects overseas. However, I urge those working abroad to bring back their knowledge and skills. Nepal needs you more than ever." (RSS)