A total of 158 newly registered nurses have successfully completed the Nurses Supervised Practice Programme (SPP) and been awarded a full registration certificate yesterday, August 23, at the Holy Cross Cathedral.
Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Dr. Culwick Togamana, Minister for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), alluded to the ceremony as yet another achievement by the Nursing Council of Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
The Health Minister acknowledged his senior management team, led by the Permanent Secretary and Chair of the Nursing Council Board and members of the council, and all those who have been involved in leading and contributing to this program to ensure that nurses are registered under the relevant provision of the Nursing Council Act.
The Minister said the nurses, once recruited, will be distributed throughout the country to contribute to the overall delivery of clinical services via health facilities.
“The government recognizes the work of nurses as significant to the health and well-being of individuals, community groups, and the nation as a whole, given that our nurses form 70% of the workforce and are the backbone of our healthcare system.
“Without you, our system cannot stand. Thank you for choosing to do what you have been called to do and will do, for serving selflessly, for all the work that you will put in—the work we see, but especially what we do not see”, said Dr. Togamana.
He highlighted, as celebrated in May of this year, the 2023 International Nurses Day theme “Our Nurses. Our Future” which raises the need to learn from the best practices and lessons of the pandemic and translate these into actions for the future of nurses and nursing.
He said, “The lessons are evidence for change, and called for action and investments in nursing. It is time to look to the future and demonstrate what these investments will mean for nursing and healthcare. Given the experiences of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and looking into the future, MHMS, through the National Nursing Administration and the Nursing Council Board, with its stakeholders:
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demonstrated the commitment of Solomon Islands nurses’ contribution to the overall health service delivery;
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ensured forging unity and renewed trust among nurses and the community
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promoted the nursing profession to the young generation;
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provided an opportunity for networking and collaboration among nurses, stakeholders, and the people; and
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proposed reviewing the Nurses’ Supervised Practice Program to ensure effective and efficient preparation of nurses for registration and eventual recruitment.