Unmitigated disdain for people who commit such acts

Nov 21, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor;
As a highly qualified professional of the Nightingalean genre, and one who holds her profession in high esteem, I was nevertheless forced to read the latest scandal surrounding the breaching of the State Final Examination for Professional Nurses with a heightened sense of unmitigated disdain for the likely perpetrators—Nursing Council personnel.
Taking into full consideration the pathetic state of Guyana’s current healthcare system, with its increasing maternal mortality and morbidity, the public would at minimum expect the attendance of well-trained individuals, who have obtained their professional license through legitimate means and as such have earned the right to bear the nomenclature Registered Nurse.
One is left to wonder and ponder as to how many nurses in current employ have truly earned their certificate, and if in some cases the death of certain patients may not in some way be linked to this blatant ethical misconduct, that may have inadvertently provided a veneer for lack of nursing knowledge?
Take it, leave it or perhaps grieve it, but playing with the papers by extension is synonymous with playing with people’s lives.
Another enigmatic question that emerges directly from this moral fiasco is whether or not the nurses are being properly trained and educationally better prepared. Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
Are the tutors falling short in delivering the goods hence the underhand coalition with the Nursing Council personnel to ensure success?
If not, why then the need for breaching of the examination papers? Or was this vending designed to help the educational misfits attain success, while at the selfsame time – lining the pockets of the Nursing Council miscreants?
The answer(s) or response(s) may be found in the statement made by the Minister of Health, George Norton, who during a recent press conference divulged that he had been made privy to the fact that this breach of examination papers has been an ongoing issue.
In America, for many years a Gallup poll has identified nursing as being among the top 10 of most honest and ethical professions, an image that must be maintained at all cost wherever the profession is exposed or practiced.
What image has been presented to the young nurses, especially those who have previously benefitted favorably from the surreptitious acts of The Nursing Council personnel?
It should not be forgotten that nurses are the only thing between the patient and death. If you cannot be a nurse, then orisons should be sent to the Almighty that you do not be a curse.
The matter is currently under police investigation, and the Minister of Health, George Norton has indicated that several responsible personnel may be placed before the court.
I am calling on the Minister and also responsible Government agencies to also notify the Licensing Bodies so that the responsible personnel can be struck off the Roll.
Measures should then be instituted that would prevent any further or future recurrence or likelihood. This act has certainly dealt a rent in the fabric of public confidence in both health and healthcare professionals.
The issue of dishonesty and dishonest behaviour cuts to the very core of public perception of integrity with deference towards the profession having given way to a need to earn respect from a demanding public.
Yvonne Sam

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