Let me start with a quote “If love can’t cure it, nurses can”. To put it very succinctly, I just want to thank all the nurses around the world for their dedication, effort, energy, and hard work they put in while taking care of their patients.

Unfortunately, many of us appear to think that the most important people in the healthcare system are the doctors, but the nurses also play a key role in all of our medical institutions, being responsible for the welfare, safety, and recovery of patients. All institutions encourage professionalism but what makes it more strong and stirring is the back support system it has. Nurses provide that in the healthcare industry.

Having lived all my life in Dubai I can’t imagine the transformation that has taken place in certain hospitals with hi-tech systems brought in place. These days most things have gone online with quality control systems in place, MOP, SOPs, attendance, incident reports, etc. The job of the medical staff is very time-sensitive and risky at times too, if their concentration slips away. We are in a world where every patient is looking for professional and world-class service.

The pressure on healthcare personnel has increased manifold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Of course some might have to work round the clock especially if they are in an accident emergency facility where you are faced with unforeseen incidents. This is one profession that does not stop. The International Nurses Day is your day and you all deserve a big thank you.

It’s time we all acknowledge the hard work, long hours, and the work pressure that is part of the life of every nurse on International Nurses Day.

Mathew Litty
Dubai