Nurses urged to serve patients diligently

THERE is a public outcry on the attitude of some nurses and midwives graduating from some of the nursing and midwifery schools across the country, the General Nursing Council of Zambia (GNCZ) has said.

GNCZ Copperbelt acting regional manager, Beatrice Mwewa, said it was important for graduating students not to let the public down.

She said health professional should at all time exhibit a friendly attitude towards the general public.

Ms Mwewa was speaking at the first Premium School of Health Sciences (PSOHS) graduation ceremony in Luanshya which saw 72 clinical officers and 21 registered nurses graduate.

She urged the new graduates to uphold professionalism as they go out to serve the people who were expecting better nursing and midwifery services.

Ms Mwewa said Zambia had 32, 000 active practicing nurses and midwives, a situation she said was a good development to both the profession and the nation, hence the need to maintain good standards.

"To this effect, the council has set standards in nursing and midwifery colleges as well as enforcing regulations that require training colleges to fully implement school rules for students and midwives," she said.

Meanwhile, School Board chairperson, Charles Kachikoti, urged the graduates to go out and serve the people, giving them hope.

Mr Kachikoti urged them to hold the highest professional standards as they executed their duties in serving the lives of people. "We however call on relevant authorities to rehabilitate the road that leads to the school which is making it difficult for people to access the school," he said.

Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda who officiated at the ceremony assured the school that Government would look into the challenges that the school was faced with.

The mayor advised the school management to consider upgrading the institution from college to university level.

Earlier, Chief Kalukumya of Mpongwe district commended the school management, stating that he would walk with his head high for having graduates in this particular field in the area.

Chief Kalukumya however urged the graduates to put the knowledge they acquired to gopd use and save the lives of the people.