Nurses should work on par with soldiers, says Health Minister

Nurses should work on par with soldiers, says Health Minister

The profession of nursing is noble, as it is a profession where one has to work with utmost dedication, compassion and empathy for another individual, said Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav.

Speaking as the chief guest at a programme, organised by the A.P. State Nurses and Midwives Council to mark International Nurses Day in Vijayawada on May 12 (Monday), the Minister likened the profession of nursing to that of a soldier.

“Just how a soldier is always at the frontline protecting the country, a nurse too should offer services to people on par with a soldier, in moments of crises,” the Minister said, urging the nurses to introspect if they are doing justice to their profession.

The Minister called upon the nurses to care for the sick with total commitment and human touch as shown by the renowned nurse and modern nursing founder Florence Nightingale, whose birth anniversary is commemorated as International Nurses Day.

Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the health of individuals and communities who in turn contribute to rapid economic growth. Every increase in average life expectancy by one year significantly results in increased economic growth, he added.

Giving details about nurses in the State, the Health Minister said 1,21,403 qualified nurses are registered in Andhra Pradesh out of which 16,801 are working in government hospitals.

Pointing out that the claims made by the previous government that there were no vacancies in the health sector were false, the Minister said 5,000 posts of nurses are vacant and action has been initiated for filling them.