– as region’s oldest association turns 90

MEMBERS of the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA) were reminded that they are at the frontline of service delivery in country’s the healthcare system by Education Minister Nicolette Henry.

Henry was at the time delivering the feature address at the Anniversary and Global Guyanese Nurses Reunion Conference of the GNA.

The GNA is the oldest nurses’ association in the English-speaking Caribbean, and is this week celebrating its 90th anniversary under the theme, ‘Uniting Forces, Uplifting Nursing; Celebrating 90 years with Pride’.

The Nurses Reunion Conference, also being held, saw in attendance numerous nurses from health sectors stretched across the Guyanese Diaspora. The international organisations represented included, the Caribbean Nurses Association (CNA); Guyana Nurses Association of Guyana Inc. (GNAA) and the Association of Guyanese Nurses and Allied Professionals (AGNAP).

In her remarks to the gathering, Minister Henry acknowledged that over the years many changes have taken place in the medical field, as nurses endeavour regularly to adapt to new best practices.

As such, she commended the work of those represented in ensuring that patients across the globe receive the quality care they deserve.

“Nurses are cut from a different cloth; a special cloth. It is certainly a cloth that is very similar to that of the teacher or any person that has dedicated their lives to serving others,” Henry said, adding:
“I believe that as nurses you are motivated, intelligent people who really care about patients. And so, the education and knowledge that is required on a minute-by-minute basis as a nurse or a midwife is not to be taken lightly.”

She noted that even with a vast number of nurses within the Caribbean having migrated to other parts of the world, they still have managed to maintain a high level of standards which has branded them as some of the best in the business.

“Historically, Caribbean nurses have come to the aid of people all over the world; they’ve made their fundamental contribution particularly to the healthcare system the 1940s. Caribbean nurses have been and still are sought after for their professionalism and skills,” Henry remarked.

She noted previous remarks of GNA President Cleopatra Barkoye, who called for greater regulations, policies and working conditions, stating: “These are all issues that have to be addressed and will be addressed.”

Throughout the week, August 19-25, the GNA will host a number of seminars and conferences, which include an Education Day today (Tuesday), and a Research Day tomorrow (Wednesday), both to be hosted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal on the lower East Coast.

The entire celebration and reunion will see the visitors reflecting and refocusing the GNA; reuniting with colleagues; sharing information and ideas and visiting tourist sites and health institutions in the country.

An awards ceremony, dinner and dance at the Pegasus Hotel on Saturday will bring the activities to a close.

The GNA was established in June 1928 with the aim of improving the standards of nursing in hospitals countrywide and ensuring that nurses are suitably qualified.