Nurses in Nigeria have been advised to treat all patients with equal care and compassion, regardless of their social class or status, while adhering strictly to professional ethics.
The Chairperson of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Mrs Adaku Bridget Nwosu, gave this advice during a one-day sit-out organised for the Elele Nurses Forum (ENF) by Medical Visions for Peace (MVP) in Port Harcourt.
Mrs Nwosu’s call followed complaints that some nurses exhibit uncaring attitudes towards patients. She urged caregivers to approach their duties with compassion and professionalism, considering the increased pressure on healthcare workers due to the country’s economic challenges.
“The current economic woes in the country have led to a surge in the number of sick people, overcrowding hospitals and overburdening nurses,” she said. Despite these difficulties, she encouraged nurses to remain committed to providing quality care.
She highlighted the emotional and physical toll the economic situation places on patients, making it even more important for nurses to attend to them with empathy. “The sick require good care to leave the hospital healthier and happier,” she added .
Nwosu also commended the founder and CEO of MVP, Dr Ogu Emejuru, for celebrating nurses in his community and encouraged him to collaborate with others to expand the initiative to other local councils in Rivers State.
The Coordinator of Nurses MVP, Nigeria, Kechinyere Orgba, expressed joy over the recognition given to nurses by MVP, a U.S.-based non-governmental organisation. She described nurses as “unsung heroes” whose contributions to healthcare often go unnoticed. “It is heartwarming to see MVP celebrate the dedication of nurses,” she said .
Dr Emejuru, the founder and CEO of MVP, acknowledged the critical role nurses play in healthcare delivery in Nigeria and globally. “Nurses form a vital link in the healthcare chain, from policy formulation to practical impact on community health,” he stated.
Emejuru, who is also an attending paediatrician at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical School, noted that MVP has conducted similar medical missions in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states. He said the initiative aligns with the theme of this year’s International Nurse
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