The current observance of Nurses’ Week in Anguilla has brought to the forefront the importance of healthcare and the responsibility, commitment and cooperation so very much needed, in the nursing profession, to achieve and deliver the critical needs, demands and goals of health provision on the island. The theme for the week of activities was: “Nurses: A Voice To Lead – Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Nurses and other health providers at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and the other health facilities in The Valley, East End, Welches, South Hill and West End, turned out in large numbers at the opening event on Sunday evening, May 7. It was an impressive street parade in The Valley followed by a Candle Light Service at the Dominion Faith Centre in the Fair Play Commercial Complex.
The nurses, carrying lighted candles, the traditional signature of their profession, founded by Florence Nightingale, marched from outside the Church up the nearby street and back. Their impressive public display was greatly enhanced by the accompaniment of the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders’ Conquerors Drum Band, and members of the Impact Youth Group of the Dominion Faith Centre.
Inside the Church, the Nurses and other healthcare workers, including representatives of the executive management committee of the Health Authority, were treated not just with a warm welcome, but with a rousing praise and worship session. Aided by stirring music, health practitioners, members of the regular congregation and the pastoral leadership of the Church, put on a prolonged singing and dancing performance that left many highly charged and motivated both for the varied programme and the other activities during the rest of the week.
The performers also included well-known religious dancer, Mrs. Shiren Paul, and accomplished Saxophone player and singer, Mr. Foster Rogers, the recently-appointed Permanent Secretary for Health in the Ministry of Social Development.
The Nurses, as well as the congregation in general, were addressed by a number of speakers. They were Nurse Twyla Bradshaw-Richardson, Immediate Past President of the Anguilla Nurses Association and [current] Director of the National Chronic Disease Unit; Nurse Larisa Burgess, the present President of the Nurses Association who spoke on the meaning of the Candlelight Ceremony; Health Planner, Mrs. Maeza-Adams; and the Human Resources Manager and Acting CEO of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Mrs. Meridith Gumbs. The main theme of the addresses related to the importance of nursing and the delivery of healthcare to the people of Anguilla.
The sermonette was delivered by Pastor Dexter Welcome. He commended the Nurses and other healthcare workers for their service to the Anguillian community, and the discharge of the duties of their noble profession.
Among the other activities for Nurses’ Week was a one-day Symposium on Tuesday, May 9, at which the welcome remarks were delivered by Vice President of the Nurses’ Association, Ms. Sherma Richardson. The other speakers were Dr. Vonetta George, Surgeon, at the Health Authority, who spoke on “Nurses and the Surgical Patient”; Ms. Erdelle Fleming, Operating Theatre Manager, who spoke on “Sterility”; Mrs. Vernice Battick, Coordinator, Nutrition & Health Promotion, whose topic was “Maintaining a Healthy Weight Through Nutrition”; Dr. Jones Ngum, visiting Professor from Walden University; and Mrs. Alicia Haywood, Departmental Manager at the Health Authority, who gave the closing remarks.
Nurses’ Week continued with a Health Fair on Thursday to give a number of persons an opportunity to obtain free nursing assistance and varied health checks.
