A salute to all our nurses

Apr 16, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated this year, 2020, as the Year of Nurse and Midwife, in honour of the 200th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale.
As the world grapples with the devastating effects of Covid-19, the role of nurses becomes much more recognized and appreciated. Nurses are the frontline in the fight against Coronavirus, risking their lives – and that of their families – in the process. Several nurses worldwide have lost their lives in the performance of their professional duties due to Covid-19. Yet they continue to serve undaunted and with amazing loyalty to the Nightingale Pledge, which they took to provide nursing services to patients.
I think our nurses and other healthcare providers should be given a special non-taxable risk allowance for the full duration of the Covid-19 outbreak. Our nurses continue to receive modest salaries – way below the quality of services they provide to the population.
The average salary of a nurse in Guyana is below US$500; it is among the lowest in the CARICOM region. This is why the attrition rate of nurses is so high, especially among the more experienced and skilled professionals. Make no mistake. Our nurses are in high demand in North America and the United Kingdom, and unless something is done to provide higher levels of remuneration and incentives, the exodus of our nurses will continue.
I urge the authorities to substantially increase the salaries and other emoluments of nurses, which should include duty-free concessions for those who have served with distinction over a specified period.
I take this opportunity to salute all our nurses on the occasion of International Year of Nurse and Midwife.
Hydar Ally

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