The National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) on Monday launched a campaign to celebrate the International Year of the Nurses and Midwife in the country.
The campaign is in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) designation of 2020 as the year the nurses and midwife, to celebrate the pivotal role that nurses and midwives play in the health sector.
The year 2020 also marks the 20th Anniversary of the birth of the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale.
This development will see NNAK embark on countrywide activities to recognise, honour and celebrate nursing and midwifery profession in Kenya and the role that they play in the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking while making the announcement, NNAK President Alfred Obengo said:” Nursing and midwifery forms an essential part of our healthcare systems. This years’ celebration places emphasis on the role we play in the delivery of quality healthcare, our areas of specialisation, the strides we have made and the need to develop joint frameworks to enhance our work.”
He added nurses and midwives are critical component of healthcare professionals as they are the first point of contact with the patients.
Primarily observed as clinical care providers at the bedside, nurses and midwives have multifaceted and multi-sectoral roles in leadership.
This is demonstrated at the policy level, academia, administration, entrepreneurship and advocacy at all levels.
Besides working in hospitals, nurses and midwives play a critical role in policy and curriculum development in higher institutions of learning.
They also work in industries and pharmaceutical companies.
Currently, the country has 58,247 registered nurses and midwives.
The president expressed his desire for Kenyans to join the campaign as well as refresh and re-energise the sector.
“As we launch the campaign for international Year of the Nurse celebrations, it’s my desire that we will be refreshed and re-energised, knowing that the journey towards caring for Kenyan is far from over,” he said.