Tribute to the nurses fighting the Covid-19 pandemic

A total of 1.6 million healthcare workers in 34 countries have been infected by the novel coronavirus as at Dec 31 last year, according to the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

The council also revealed that as at Jan 31, 2021, there were 2,710 reported Covid-19 deaths of nurses in 59 countries.

“In many countries, nurses are the biggest health worker group with Covid-19 infection,” it said.

The statement was released yesterday in conjunction with the 56th International Nurses Day in honour of the contribution and sacrifices of nurses around the world, especially in a pandemic.

In 1974, May 12, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, was chosen as the day to celebrate nurses as a tribute to the founder of modern nursing.

This year, ICN commemorates the day with the production and distribution of International Nurses Day 2021 resources themed “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – A Vision for Future Healthcare”.

The council aims to show the future of nursing and how the profession will transform the next stage of healthcare. It added that it has consistently called for the systematic and standardised collection of data on healthcare worker infections and deaths since May 2020.

“It will help protect the safety of patients and healthcare workers. Regrettably, the continued underreporting of such information means that the true extent of healthcare worker infections and deaths will be much higher than ICN’s data,” it said.

In an official Health Ministry video, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba thanked nurses for their continuous contribution and sacrifices.

“This profession is a noble one, continue to offer services with dedication and sincerity,” he said.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also extended his appreciation to nurses who have worked with total dedication.

“Happy Nurses Day. A voice to lead, a vision for future healthcare,” he said.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun highlighted the weight of the responsibility carried by nurses today amid the pandemic.

“Fighting the Covid-19 pandemic has become a battle and nurses are frontliners who are heroes in the battlefield.

“Nurses have sacrificed their time and energy away from their own families to care for their patients and protect the country,” she said in her Nurses Day message.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, too, extended his wishes and gratitude to the nurses.

“May all of you be protected and blessed,” he posted on Facebook.

“Fighting the Covid-19 pandemic has become a battle and nurses are frontliners who are heroes in the battlefield.” datuk seri rina harun