Nonm insists on nurses’ export
National Organisation of Nurses and Midwifes (Nonm) has repeated calls for the country to send to the diaspora qualified nurses who are still unemployed.
Nonm president Shouts Simeza was speaking during celebrations to mark International Nurses Day which falls on May 12.
The celebrations took place at Katuma PIM camp in the area of Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje District under the theme ‘Our Nurses, Our Future’.
Simeza said there are over 4,000 licensed nurses who are still unemployed and repeated calls that they be sent abroad to work.
“This will help them find means of generating income using their skills. We cannot afford to leave our nurses behind, especially at a time when we are planning to achieve universal health coverage by 2030,” he said.
Simeza therefore appealed to the government to ensure that the welfare of nurses is given priority.
Speaking during the celebrations, Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda who was guest of honour, described the event as important to the health sector.
“This commemoration amplifies the important role that nurses play in the provision of health services. As government, we appreciate the important role that nurses play in our health facilities.
“I, therefore, appeal to the private sector to help in providing employment opportunities as government alone cannot afford to absorb them all,” Kandodo Chiponda said.
As part of activities to mark the day, nurses provided health services to Cyclone Freddy survivors at the camp.
