Marthina Mutanga
INTERNATIONAL Nurses week is celebrated annually to raise awareness of the important role that nurses play in society.
As the week came to an end, President Hage Geingob in a special message thanked all the nurses for their courage, dedication, diligence, and care especially in the current difficult time where they put their own lives on the line to protect the nation’s health.
Geingob said the nurses are the first line of defence against Covid-19 and their efforts are highly appreciated.
May the 12th marked the final day of International Nurses Week. May 12th is also the birthday of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), the English nurse that became known as the founder of professional nursing, especially due to her pioneering work during the Crimean War (1853-1856). In performing her duties she developed a habit of making rounds at night. Nightingale became known as “The Lady with the Lamp”.
International Nurses Week was first observed in October 1954, the 100th anniversary of Nightingale’s mission to Crimea.
The 6th of May was introduced as the date for the observance in 1982.
