Tripura joined the rest of the country in observing International Nurses Day on Friday, with a state-level program organized by the Tripura Nursing Council at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha graced the event, which saw the participation of numerous nurses, nursing students, and faculty members.
Under the theme ‘Our Nurses, Our Future,’ the program highlighted the indispensable role of nurses in the healthcare system and praised their dedication and commitment to patient care.
In his address, Chief Minister Dr. Saha emphasized the importance of patience when dealing with patients and urged nurses to approach their duties with a sense of social service.
To commemorate the occasion, the Chief Minister, along with other dignitaries, paid floral tributes to Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Dr. Saha emphasized the reliance of doctors on nurses, particularly during surgeries and the delivery of healthcare services in hospitals. He reiterated the government’s commitment to honoring nurses for their unwavering service and stressed the need for nursing institutes in the state to adhere to the guidelines set by the Nursing Council.
Dr. Saha mentioned the availability of courses such as ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery) and GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) within the state, providing opportunities for young boys and girls to pursue nursing education locally, which was previously not possible.
Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education, Tinku Roy, acknowledged the tireless efforts of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic and underscored the importance of providing advanced training to enhance the healthcare system and benefit the people.
Director of Health Services, Dr. Subhashish Debbanna, in his welcome speech, highlighted the sincere and dedicated work of the 2,130 nurses serving in various healthcare institutions. He also drew attention to the shortage of nurses in hospitals, urging the Chief Minister to address the issue.
Furthermore, Dr. Debbanna announced a change in the nomenclature for staff nurses, who will now be referred to as Nursing Officers as a mark of respect. The state government has taken steps to ensure that all nurses receive the respect they deserve.
The program concluded with the presentation of awards to outstanding nursing students and recognition for three nursing institutes for their successful blood donation drives.
Health Secretary Dr. Debashish Basu, Health Education Director Prof. (Dr.) Har Prasad Sharma, Director in-charge of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Supriya Mallik, and Registrar of Tripura Nursing Council Rebecca Darlong were among the esteemed guests in attendance.
