Healthcare | Thursday 14 May, 2015 5:25 pm |

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), managed by Cleveland Clinic, celebrated International Nurses’ Day on 11 and 12 May, 2015, with the theme, “Nurses: A Force for Change: Care Effective, Cost Effective”.

The theme for this year, set by the International Council of Nurses, reflects the continuously rising costs within healthcare and the large potential for nurses, being the largest profession in the health workforce, to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in the industry.

In addition to the economic potential of the role of nurses, nurses play a vital role during what is often the most difficult times for patients. “They may not always remember our names, but they always remember the ‘nurse’ who was there to hold their hand, share a tear, give them a hug or smile and kind word, celebrate their progress, or explain something they didn’t understand,” said Safa Al Mustafa, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, SKMC.

Commenting on the celebration, Dr. Abdulmajeed Al Zubaidi, Chief Medical Officer at the hospital said: “We are proud of the accomplishments of our nursing team in making positive changes that promote safe, quality, evidence-based, and patient-centred care. Winning the Press Ganey NDNQI Nursing Quality Award, and being the only facility outside of the USA to achieve this, is a great accomplishment, together with the attainment of the Dubai Quality Award.”

In appreciation of the imperative role of nurses, SKMC will be celebrating with nurses through a number of planned activities such as role playing games, Nurses Got Talent, cake cutting, and many more. The hospital also plans to deliver fruit baskets across the departments to all the nurses.

Celebrated since 1965, International Nurses’ Day also falls on the birth date of the pioneering nurse, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and an icon of Victorian culture, also known as the “Lady with the Lamp” amongst British soldiers during the Crimean war between 1853 and 1856.

“We should not confine our gratitude to this one day. We should be thankful to our great nurses for their hard work and dedication to providing exemplary care and an unforgettable patient experience every day of the year. We are proud and honoured to support nursing staff in ensuring the promotion of innovative nurse-led projects as well as supporting nurses in their efforts to lead change,” said Dr. Aref Al Shehhi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SKMC.

SKMC is part of the SEHA Health System and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.