By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, May 13, Mana: Minister of Health, Kumbidze Kandodo Chiponda, has asked nurses and midwives in the country to be disciplined and execute their duties professionally.  

Speaking in Mzuzu on Sunday when nurses and midwives in the country joined the world to celebrate International Nurse's Day, Chicponda said for Malawians to fully participate in various development activities they need to be healthy.

Chiponda said duties of nurses and midwives is not only to support the sick in hospitals but also supporting communities in embracing healthy living lifestyles.

"As nurses and midwives, you also have a duty to sensitize the community on various health issues, for instance good habits they should embrace to maintain a healthy living.

"As government, we will continue to provide resources for health workers so that your working environment is good. We are also planning to construct more houses for health workers," she said.

Chiponda assured nurses and midwives that government is working towards establishing bilateral agreements with other countries so that Malawi can export nurses and midwives.

She was, however, quick to point out that the process will not be complete overnight because the ministry has to ensure that conditions of work for those officers are good and beneficial to both the country and the said health workers.

President for National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM), Shout Simeza, said as health care professionals, they are committed towards helping government in achieving universal health coverage for all.

"As one way of helping achieve universal coverage for all, we are increasing activities fostering community health care provision so that those in communities easily access free health service without putting pressure on our health institutions.

"We are also working on reviewing curriculum for Diploma in Assistant Community Nursing and Midwifery so that we lean more on community health provision," he said.

While applauding government for giving a lion's share to the health sector in the 2024/2025 national budget, Simeza appealed that resource distribution in the ministry should reflect the situation on the ground by providing enough equipment and other resources for easy delivery of service by health workers.

During the celebration, 100 nurses and midwives were awarded certificates for emerging as best nurses while 30 nursing leaders were presented leadership certificates.

Best performing community nursing and midwifery assistants were also awarded bicycles to ease their mobility.

International Nurse's Day falls on May 12 every year and theme for this year was ‘Our Nurses Our Future: The Economic power of Care’.