Dear Editor,

I FULLY commiserate with our nurses for their feelings of insignificance and non-importance. This was conveyed in a recent letter that detailed their angst and sadness, when the occasion of International Nurses’ Day went almost unnoticed.
However, against this backdrop, I note here that the Department of Public Information, the government’s conduit for information dissemination, must be commended for doing its part on this special occasion. On the very day, I read two messages, dealing with the nurses of our country.
Firstly, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) CEO’s (Brigadier Ret’d George Allan Lewis’) message on International Nurses Day 2021, was carried verbatim. This message extended “… an earnest ‘thank you’ to all the nurses at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), our satellite clinics and the Ocean View facility for the outstanding work that you continue to do, especially in these challenging times.” These times of course refer to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The message added that “I (the CEO) have witnessed daily, your steadfast commitment to ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care, and your strength in the wake of numerous adversities. Despite those challenges, you continue to lend your voice and abilities to the elevation of nursing practice within these institutions – you embody compassion and connected care.”

The CEO added that indeed “… many times your own (the nurses’) well-being and the well-being of your (the nurses’) families have not been the priority as you worked tirelessly in service to others. So, the CEO, on behalf of the Board of Directors and management team at the GPHC expressed the ever necessary ‘thank you’ for all of your efforts and for continuing to go the extra mile.”
Then the second message was from Sister Shivani Ramdihol, Assistant Director Nursing Services, who stated that “…  the nursing leadership of the Georgetown Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is privileged to join with the international community, in honouring our nurses, as we celebrate International Nurses Day under the theme: ‘Nurses A Voice to lead – A vision for future health care.’”
Sister Shivani Ramdihol applauded the nurses for their dedication and commitment to service, noting that “Nurses and Midwives of the GPHC comprise more than 50 per cent of the health workforce and are therefore essential to the delivery of quality health care.”
She declared that all “… are conscious of the many challenges you face as you embrace the daily tasks.”
Especially of significance was what she highlighted when she explained at length that “In spite of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic that threatens the core fiber of our personal health and that of the healthcare system, we saw you rise to the task of following the protocols and ensuring that our patients receive the best care possible.

Some of you even volunteered to render intense and critical care to our patients. Many of you are active in ensuring our citizens are vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. You are the epitome of bravery and excellence. We recognise you as our visionary heroes of healthcare in Guyana – Nurses and Midwives.”
Eulogistic and eloquent, and indeed a worthy and deserved glorification of this very noble profession and its professionals!
I repeat that indeed the apparent neglect is not a nice thing. For Desiree France, Chanmattie Persaud, Dacia Singh, Karen France and Kemton Alexander, whose letter caught my attention, I do share your discouragement.
On another note, long before International Nurses’ Day, the government, back in October 2020, emphasised that “Nurses and other healthcare workers can look forward to significant improvement in their livelihood…”
President, Dr Irfaan Ali, himself gave assurance that “… the nurses within our five-year term, they will see a monumental improvement not only in their salaries and benefits, but in their overall livelihood and in their overall quality of life.”
So, irrespective of how our nurses feel, I say that to all of us, they are most vital and are truly treasured.

Yours truly,

Attiya Baksh