Al Bireh-(13/5/2010): the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) organized a ceremony to mark International Nurses Day (IND)- annually commemorated around the world on May 12. The event, which took place in the conference hall at PRCS headquarters in Al Bireh, was attended by Dr. Younis Al Khatib- PRCS President, the heads of the different departments and branches of PRCS, numerous members of the Safe Motherhood Committees (SMC) and the nurses of the Primary Health Care (PHC) programme, as well as the general public.
In his address, Dr. Al Khatib commended the central role nurses play in the service of the Palestinian community. He noted that this occasion, which coincides with the 62nd commemoration of Al Nakba Day, symbolizes the profound sacrifices of nurses throughout our people’s struggle.
Dr. Al Khatib added that the nursing profession is an entity in its own right, reiterating the late Dr. Fathi Arafat’s,(the founder of PRCS) words that nursing is a profession that complements and makes possible the work of other medical professions and is by no means a subsidiary role. Hence the special prominence given to nurses by the PRCS as long ago as the first training workshop for nurses held by the Society back in 1969.
The title of the ceremony, “Improving Community Health,” according to Dr. Al Khatib, highlights the role of women and SMC in the development of our community, stressing the fact that International Nurses Day is a fixed event on the PRCS agenda and that community health is one of the Society’s key issues of concern. To this end, he announced a new annual grant for a Masters degree in Community Health open to PRCS staff.
Finally, Dr. Al Khatib expressed the value placed on the role of PRCS partner organizations for their support, assistance, and involvement in their programs.
Dr. Anwar Dweikat, the Director of the PHC department, applauded the efforts of nurses at PRCS health care centers – both those run entirely by PRCS or jointly with the Ministry of Health.
Khawla Tayyun, a member of the SMC, briefly described the work of the committees that have now been supervised by the PHC department for six years. There are 15 committees with around 1200 members in total. She thanked PRCS for its support of the committees and for boosting the spirit of giving and volunteerism among members. She also described the diversity and quality of the activities organized by the committee members in the different fairs, summer camps, workshops, and training events.
Khawla also noted that the Society has given these women the opportunity to become engaged in project management workshops and training, and has supported them in starting up their small project, which they currently run and supervise.
Tahani Eweidah, a nurse at PRCS, praised her fellow nurses for their continuous commitment and their contribution to the field, she also thanked the Society for this event noting that PRCS was among the first to establish nursing schools in the country.
In addition to speeches, the occasion included a variety of informative entertainment pieces, such as a sketch about a nurse’s role in the clinic and another about doctors’ roles in treating patients and the importance of getting rid of misguided or false practices. Other performances also included a dialogue about health hazards, as well as Folklore pieces presented by members of SMC and a group of young girls.
The ceremony was concluded with the presentation by Dr. Al Khatib of awards to 60 nurses celebrating their work in health centers run by PRCS or in partnership with the Ministry of Health in the West Bank.
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