Role of nurses and midwives ‘crucial for patient hope’
Chea Sokny
A senior official at the Ministry of Health encourages nurses and midwives to uphold medical ethics and professionalism, noting the vital role they play in prioritising patients’ lives and providing hope.
Ministry secretary of state Im Sithikar made the call during a two-day workshop themed “Enhance Care Quality and Safety of Patients through Strengthening Management, Prevention, and Control of Infectious Diseases”.
The event saw healthcare professionals representing hospitals and health centres from across the country.
Sithikar said nurses and midwives should apply medical ethics and professionalism to elevate the quality of patient care and ensure safety. Underscoring their crucial role in providing care services for the sick, she noted the importance of these principles in their responsibilities.
She pointed out that nurses and midwives also play a significant role in strengthening research and leadership. As heads and deputy heads of care services in each hospital, their responsibilities include establishing clear roles and developing annual plans to enhance care tasks.
“The nurses and midwives play a crucial role in safeguarding health. Their responsibilities include improving health, preventing disease and dangers, alleviating pain, treating individuals and offering counselling to families and community members,” she said.
She noted that nurses and midwives are the only ones consistently staying by patients’ sides 24 hours a day, thereby contributing to the ministry’s efforts to alleviate hardship among the poor.
“All these responsibilities clearly show that nurses and midwives have the ability to enhance patient outcomes, ensuring they spend less time in hospitals and avoid unfortunate circumstances,” she said.
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-25 spotlights leadership, effective service provision and the educational advancement of nurses and midwives, encouraging them to pursue bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.
Over the last few decades, nurses worldwide, including in Cambodia, have increasingly pursued advanced educational degrees.
On National Midwifery Day, May 5, Bun Rany, president of the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) urged health leaders, civil servants and caregivers to actively support the government’s health policy. She called on relevant institutions to continue investing in the work of midwives for the present and future health of the Cambodian people.