Nurses – Force for Change and A Vital Resource for Health

Augustina Elijio

The nurses of Belize are rarely in the spotlight, seldom singled out for criticism, praise or controversy. But there is no doubt they are a very vital component of our health system – some might say the foundation. There’s no Doctor’s Week that we know of, but there is a week dedicated to nurses. It’s this week, and is being celebrated under the theme, “Nurses – Force for Change and A Vital Resource for Health.” According to Chief Nursing Officer, Augustina Elijio, there is a full program planned, culminating in a forum at the end of the week.

Augustina Elijio, Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health

“In this country, we have sixty-five percent of the work health force being nurses and they play a very pivotal role in many if not most of the health activities even if you have to look at the global initiative to be addressed. We talk about the millennium goals in health, you talk about healthy people 2015; we were making references to the non-communicable diseases, nurses play a very vital role in addressing those areas.”

Reporter

“So you have any activities planned throughout the week?”

Augustina Elijio

“Yes, countrywide, nurses will be having activities so all health district will be having activities. It is being highlighted though by the nurses and midwives council. We started yesterday with the nursing service at the Central Assembly of god; we had quite a bit a turnout of nurses. We have quite a number of talk shows being done. We are going into schools to highlight nurses and what they do and there are also other social activities that will be happening.”

A Nurses Conference will be held at the Pelican Beach Resort on Friday. That’s a forum which allows nurses to socialize, exchange information and learn new nursing techniques.