‘Investing in nursing is more important than ever’

Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 12 (EMN): Nursing tutor at School of Nursing, District Hospital Dimapur (DHD), Pursangla on Thursday stated that investing in nursing is more important than ever as demand and supply gaps for nurses are widening.

Speaking at a programme organised on the occasion of International Nurses Day at Medical Fellowship hall, DHD, by Trained Nurses Association of India, Dimapur unit; Pursangla informed that prior to the pandemic, the global shortage of nurses was estimated to be around 5.9 million nurses and even with just 4% downfall, the shortage of nurses would now be around 7 million.

The pandemic, she said, was a blessing in disguise because it addressed many issues confronting the nursing profession, including nursing shortages, lack of protection, increased workloads, low salaries, and exposing the weaknesses caused by underinvestment in the health system.

She went on to say that all of these issues have prompted numerous calls for increased investment in nursing workforce to meet current and future health-care needs. As a result, the International Council of Nurses has emphasised this year’s theme, ‘Nurses: Invest in nursing and respect human rights to ensure global health.’

She stated that the demand and supply gaps would increase even more in the coming years, owing to burnout-nurses who leave their jobs or do not support the nursing profession, pandemic-related deaths, early retirement, and Covid-related illness.

Pursangla therefore stated that investment in nursing education, nurse leadership, nursing jobs, and also prioritising the safety of nurses and health workers is needed to achieve better health.

She urged the gathering to focus on investing in nursing and respect nurses’ rights in any way possible in order to build a resilient, high-quality health system that can meet the needs of individuals and communities now and in the future.

Meanwhile, medical superintendent of District Hospital Dimapur, Dr. Khrielasanuo said that the light of the lantern should always be shining by showing compassion and love to the patients.

She added that while not all patients can be cured, their kindness and love will undoubtedly relieve their stress; and further encouraged nurses to be more tolerant than others.