1,600 nurses set 2 Guinness World Records in Abu Dhabi
It feels great that our organisation thought of extending this special gesture to us on an important occasion like International Nurses Day. I will cherish this memory of all of us coming together in unity.
Rani Elsa Oommen, chief nursing officer, VPS Healthcare
Over 1,600 nurses from Uaebased VPS Healthcare set two Guinness World Records on Thursday as the world marked International Nurses Day.
At Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City, the group’s nurses from across the country achieved the titles of ‘the largest gathering of people dressed as nurses’ and ‘the most number of people reciting an oath simultaneously’.
“The first one is an existing record with a minimum number of 691 nurses. The second one is a new record with a minimum requirement of 250 people. Today you have achieved a total of 1,600 people. Congratulations, you are amazing,” Kanzy El Defrawy, an official adjudicator at Guinness World Records, announced.
Once all the nurses gathered, they held a minute’s silence paying tribute to Lezly Orine Ocampo, a frontline nurse, who passed away in the line of duty during the pandemic. Also, all 1,600 nurses took the Florence Nightingale Pledge to uphold the ideals of the nursing profession, thereby achieving the second record of the day for the most number of people taking an oath simultaneously.
Rani Elsa Oommen, chief nursing officer at VPS Healthcare, who received the certificate on behalf of nurses, said it has been one of the most memorable Nurses Day celebrations.
“In my 22-year-long career, I have come across quite a few events for nurses, but never one like this. It feels great that our organisation thought of extending this special gesture to us on an important occasion like International Nurses Day. I will cherish this memory of all of us coming together in unity.”
Omran Al Khoori, president of business development, VPS Healthcare, said: “International Nurses Day commemorates the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, and the occasion marks the invaluable contributions that nurses make to the world. Setting two Guinness World Records is a wonderful way to put the spotlight on our nurses and honour their tireless contributions towards the health and safety of our communities.”
Kevi Bayan, an in-patient nurse at Burjeel Medical City, added: “The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us. It has been a joyful reunion to meet our coworkers and fellow nurses in this setting. It was a special feeling to take the Florence Nightingale Pledge that upholds the ideals of our profession. I am proud to be a part of this world record bid.”