Range of issues worry nurses

 UNHYGIENIC work environment, poor work and living condition, extended shift and the fear of criminal holdup during evening drop-offs are grave issues that continue to worry nurses in the country.

But consecutive governments and health authorities have been insensitive to the plight of the largest workforce in the health sector, speakers at the recent International Nurses Day observance in Lae pointed out. 

Speakers highlighted the harsh conditions that nurses were forced to work in while enduring grilling 8-12 hour shifts to care for the sick and injured. 

The recent violent rape of a female Angau hospital nurse was also highlighted and attributed to a prevalent culture of physical, verbal and sexual harassment of female nurses. 

According to the speakers, these issues were dead serious and needed to be addressed by the national government and the health department.

Angau nurse Manila Setu described these issues as being endemic to their profession and urged concerted action by the government and health department to resolve them comprehensively.

“We cannot continue to save lives and nurse the sick in a stressful environment,” she said.