International Nurses' Day: Celebrations Throughout the Country

Nursing Journal of India, Nov 2004

International Nurses; Day was celebrated throughout the country on May 12, 2004. The day commemorates the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who worked tirelessly for the sick, the needy and the underprivileged. Following are some of the reports received from different parts of the country.

Health Minister Promises Nursing School at Goa

The T.N.A.I. Goa Branch celebrated the International Nurses' Day along with S.N.A. Platinum Jubilee at Dinanath Mangueshkar Auditorium KaIa Academy with Health Minister of Goa, Dr. Suresh Amonker as the Chief Guest and secretary, Health, P.W.D. and Social Welfare, Madam Debashree Mukerjee, IAS, as the Guest of Honour.

S.N.A. Secretary Miss Juens Fernandas gave the report for the year 2003 - 2004. She covered the activities carried out which included the celebrations of national and international days of importance, the education and other programmes like the capping ceremony, the fun days, and the Christmas celebration.

T.N.A.I. Branch Secretary Mrs. Patsy Joseph highlighted the burning issues in Goa state concerning the nursing personnel, the students, and the public at large. The springing up of private institutions training candidates for six months and issuing certificates with the title Basic Nursing was also mentioned.

Health Minister Dr. Amonker congratulated the guest speakers for highlighting the themes. He said that the theme: "Nurses working with the poor against poverty" should motivate the nurses to work for the poor who suffer various communicable diseases, malnutrition etc.

The Health Minister said the long pending demand of uniform washing and nursing allowance would be solved very soon. He also said that a new Nursing School and hostel will be provided at the earliest.

Assam Ministers Present at Mohendra Hospital, Guwahati

International Nurses' Day was observed at Mohendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital, Guwahati, in the presence of a galaxy of audience, doctors, press reporters, nursing stalwarts. Dr. Pratap Chandra Sarma, Joint Director of MMC Hospital, Guwahati, presided over the function and Phulmati Mazumdar, Matron of M.M.C. Hospital, Guwahati gave the welcome address and explained the purpose of the function.

The Chief guest Captain Rabin Bordoloi, Minister of Sports, Assam and guest of Honour Mr. Pranay Rabha, State Minister of W.B.P.T. Labour and Employment delivered their speeches.

Dr. Jiten Patowary, Head of Nephrology Department of Guwahati Medical College, Assam highlighted the theme "Nurses work with the poor against poverty".

Group Discussion at Annapoorna College, Salem

Vinayaka Mission's Annapoorana College & School of Nursing, Salem, Tamil Nadu, celebrated International Nurses' ,Week from May 12-18, 2004.

The Day was inaugurated on May 12,2004 by Mr. Sathishkumar, Vice-Chancellor, V.M.R.F. Deemed University and the Chief guest Mrs. Chandra Devathasan, Principal, Sri Shanmuga College of Nursing, Salem, lighted the Florence Nightingale Lamp. Dr. Laxmi Rana, Principal, Vinayaka Mission's Annapoorana College of Nursing, briefed about the theme 2004 "Working with the poor against poverty".

The programme was followed by a skit on Florence Nightingale presented by, the IV Semester B.Sc. (N) students and a group discussion on the theme by the faculty of College of Nursing.

An exhibition was also displayed for three days at Hospital's OPD Block, based on the WHO and International Nurses' Day theme - 2004.

Debate, Chart Competition and Skit held at Mata Saraswati Institute, Ludhiana

Mata Saraswati Institute of Nursing Education, Ludhiana, celebrated International Nurses Day with Dr. S.N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana as the Chief Guest.

Principal Mrs. Swinder Kaur unfolded the theme and requested the nursing community to reaffirm their dedication to serve the humanity and poor.

Competition on the theme was organized in the form of debate, chart competition and skit. Talented students were given Prizes. GNM 1st Year students Candle Lighting Ceremony was also held.

Health Talk, Medical Camp conducted by Kohima Branch

TNAI Kohima Branch celebrated International Nurses' Day at Naga Hospital, Kohima. The function was presided over by Mrs. Dominica, President, T.N.A.I. Kohima Branch.

Mr. Z. Obed, Hon'ble Minister, P.H.E., Nagaland was the Chief Guest. The colourful celebration started with the invocation and lighting the traditional lamp by Mrs. K. Za-o, Retired State Nursing Superintendent.

Mrs. Vikhonuo Yanthan, Deputy Director of Nursing introduced the theme for this year 2004: "Nurses working with the poor, against poverty". The Kohima Barnch visited three remote villages under Kohima district with three groups headed by Nursing officers and conducted health talk and medical camp which were great success.

Celebrations at Mental Hospital, Amritsar

The nursing staff of the IMH Dr. Vidya Sagar Mentai Hospital, Amritsar celebrated International Nurses' Day with great enthusiasm.

The occasion was graced by the chief guest Dr. B L Goel, Director of IMH, a distinguished guest being Mrs. Gulshan Bir Kaur, Registrar, PNRC, Chandigarh. Guest of Honour was Mrs. Kulwant Bhatia, Retired Dy. Director Nursing, DHS, Punjab.