The College of Nursing, Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman paid tribute to the global nursing community, as they inaugurated the ‘International year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020’ celebrations in a virtual ceremony held recently. 

 

More than 250 people from around the world participated in the event. Professor Selva Titus Chacko, Dean of the College of Nursing, GMU delivered the inaugural address in the function attended by the students, faculty and staff of GMU and members of the nurses community. The virtual ceremony also included an oath-taking session participated by the students, staff and faculty of GMU.

 

Professor Hossam Hamdy - the Chancellor of GMU, Professor Manda Venkatramana – Vice Chancellor Academics of GMU, Elizabeth Iro - Chief Nursing Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO) Geneva, Dr Sumaya Mohamed AlBlooshi - Director of Nursing Department of the Ministry of Health & Prevention Dubai, Dr Arwa Oweis - Regional Advisor for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Personnel, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) Cairo, Dr Naeema Al-Gasseer - Senior Advisor to Regional Director, WHO EMRO Cairo and Nancy Justina Mendonca - Chief Nursing Officer of Thumbay University Hospital Ajman, delivered felicitations on the occasion.

 

Professor Chacko in her inaugural address emphasised the growing role of nurses worldwide, especially in the wake of the recent and anticipated changes to healthcare delivery models in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Pointing out that nurses constituted the largest part of the professional healthcare workforce at almost 60 per cent, she said: “Globally, there is a shortage of 6 million nurses today. Each country has to focus on producing its own nurses to meet the shortage of nurses, and address problems of migration.” Even though the UAE has a good ‘nursing personnel per population’ ratio, the country should focus on building its own workforce, as most of these nurses are expats, she added.

 

Iro lauded the nursing community and other healthcare workers for their courageous, compassionate and professional work on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic. Addressing the College of Nursing GMU, she said: “I encourage you to strengthen our profession through ensuring quality education, research and best practice, to impact positively on communities you care for.”

 

Remembering the sacrifices of the nursing community, especially during the recent times, Dr Oweis reminded the nursing students of their increased responsibility in times like these. “Dear students, you are the future leaders of the profession. We rely on your talent in creating opportunities for nurses and for nursing to become a stronger and more resilient profession,” she added.

 

Congratulating the nursing professionals in the UAE and all over the world, Professor Hamdy said that the College of Nursing would launch several academic and professional initiatives, activities and training programs this year. “Our main goal during this year is to support and raise the level of nursing practice and boost the image of this noble profession,” he said.

 

Greeting the nursing community, Professor Venkatramana said: “GMU has recognised the true value of nursing professionals and we have started a standalone college of nursing which offers the bachelor of nursing program and also offers diploma holders the opportunity to upgrade to the bachelor degree.” - TradeArabia News Service