International Nurses Day-2010 Message
Guyana Public Service Union is particularly pleased, on this International Nurses Day, to formally recognise the efforts of all nurses in upholding high standards and ensuring quality healthcare for those in need. Nurses provide invaluable services to the public, often above and beyond their contracted conditions and have always been among the frontline troops of national health services.

Under the theme- ‘Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care’, nurses are charged with the task of continued service to humankind, within hospitals and communities, even in the face of adversity and financial restraints.

In view of this, GPSU would like to call on all Regulatory Bodies of Health and the Nursing Council to make reasonable decisions and negotiate fair terms of agreement as it pertains to the ‘Proposed Nurses and Midwives Bill-2010’. Nurses in Guyana, who have gone through the principle channels of the three-year program and are registered nurses must be recognised as the professionals they were trained to be.

We, at the Guyana Public Service Union are well aware of the hazardous working conditions faced and the negligible rewards obtained from unwavering commitment to their work.

Poor working conditions, long hours, unsafe environments, undersupplied resources and dangers arising from abusive patients and relatives, particularly at mental wards, are just a few of the challenges that a nurse may face on a daily basis. Though it appears as though health funding has increased it is not reflected in measures being taken to protect and support nurses. Authorities must address the risk that nurses face as they strive to provide quality healthcare.

In spite of their many hardships, this day gives us the opportunity to stand with nurses throughout the world and celebrate their achievements, and so Guyana Public Service Union wishes you continued success and guidance in all the tasks that lie ahead. Happy Nurses Day!