Today the world is observing International Nurses Day and the Guyana Public Service Union, the largest representative body for public servants in Guyana, while standing in solidarity with nurses has reiterated the call for more to be done to improve the lives of nurses.
In its press statement the union said this year’s theme of Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies serves as a critical reminder that nurses are not only caregivers but are also indispensable to national development and economic resilience.
The GPSU said it should be noted that nurses are the cornerstone of the country’s healthcare system, delivering essential services in hospitals, clinics and communities nationwide, often under immense pressure with limited resources and inadequately compensated.
The union said several issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency when it comes to nurses – that their well-being must be a national priority; investments must be made for nurses at the national development, and this involves proper compensation and safe and supportive environments; and policy reforms to address brain drain.