Need for more nurses to address increasing population
By LULU MARK
THE need for more nurses must be addressed because the increasing population is putting more strain on existing health infrastructure and the limited workforce, an official says.
During the International Nurses Day celebration at the PNG Nurses Association office in Port Moresby yesterday, association president Frederick Kebai said more training was needed to have more qualified nurses.
The day is observed around the world on May 12, the birthday of pioneer nurse Florence Nightingale, to stress the importance of nurses in healthcare.
The theme this year was “Nursing the world to health”.
This year was supposed to be dedicated to nurses and midwives by the World Health Organisation but planned events had to be shelved because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kebai urged the Department of Health and Department of Personal Management to speed up the appointment of a chief nursing officer and a nursing director at the provincial health authority.
“Only if the nurses are represented at the top management level can our voices be heard,” he said.
PNG Midwifery Society president Sr Jennifer Pyakalyia said they only had 1,000 midwives but needed around 7,000.
“I want young men and women to come forward and study nursing as many of us are nearing or working through our retirement age,” she said.
5 comments
Mr. Kebai should respect Papua New Guinea culture. If the government were to spend more money on training nurses there would be less money available for the salaries of politicians and bureaucrats. We Papua New Guineans recognise and cherish our traditions and are prepared to forego all medical treatment so our Big Men can live a deserved life of luxury. It is our Way. Respect it please!
You can’t take in more nurses because there are no jobs for the new intakes. A lot graduate but are still waiting for jobs. The reason being; the old ones a still working and occupying jobs and no rooms to create base level positions to accommodate new in takes. Each PHAs/PHAs should draw up plans to flush out old hands and recreate or redesignate positions to base level posts. This is when we say we are replenishing the old with new. The old hands go out with their old habits and new ones with new. And this is job creation. And to Mid Wife’s, every body wants to work in a big hospital and not enough going to the rural health facilities. Do we have plans or create incentives for Mid Wives going to the rural facilities. Something like improve position level to PS Grade 11/12. This will draw staff going to rural facilities…… just a thought
There are graduated nurses from nursing schools sitting at homes waiting to be employed. Why are the hospitals not employing them. some have been searching or even written to all 22 provinces in this country and are still waiting to be employed. How comes ya’ll still looking for nurses?
Thank you all the nurses for hard working effort and time. Let’s join the celebrations by acknowledging their commitment. Please service your patients with the mind of treating your own family member.
It is time now to spend more money on training nurses and improving their working conditions so that they provide the best health care possible for the peoPle of PNG.
For too long the plight of nurses have been receiving the real attention it needs! Nau Covid 19 ikam na government seksek!
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