Posted on: Fri 30-05-2025

In light of growing concerns about the perceived lack of compassion among some caregivers, there is a pressing need for nurses to renew their commitment to empathy, professionalism, and non-discriminatory care.

It is becoming increasingly important for nurses to treat every patient with equal love and respect, regardless of their social or economic status. Upholding the ethics of the nursing profession should remain central to their daily practice, especially in a time when public trust in healthcare delivery is under scrutiny.

This call for a return to the core values of nursing was made by Adaku Nwosu, Chairperson of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, during a one-day sit-out organized for the Elele Nurses Forum (ENF) by Medical Visions for Peace (MVP) in Port Harcourt.

Nwosu rightly pointed out that the current economic challenges in Nigeria have led to an increase in hospital admissions, placing immense pressure on healthcare workers. In such a climate, it is understandable that nurses may feel overwhelmed—but it is precisely in these difficult times that compassion must shine the brightest.

Rather than becoming desensitized, nurses are encouraged to recognize that behind every sick bed is a person in distress—someone who needs not only medical treatment but also kindness and reassurance. Patients deserve to leave healthcare facilities not just healed, but also with their dignity intact and their spirits lifted.

Commending the efforts of Dr. Ogu Emejuru, Founder and CEO of MVP and former Special Adviser to the ex-Governor of Rivers State, Nwosu suggested that more partnerships between diaspora health professionals and local communities could expand these kinds of meaningful engagements across the state.

Kechinyere Orgba, Coordinator of Nurses MVP in Nigeria, expressed appreciation for the recognition of nurses’ contributions, noting that nurses often work behind the scenes and are rarely celebrated. Acknowledging their quiet resilience can go a long way in boosting morale and reinforcing their essential role in the healthcare system.

Dr. Emejuru echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that nurses are a vital link between policy and practice in healthcare delivery. He underscored the importance of valuing and empowering nurses—not just as a symbolic gesture but as a strategic investment in stronger healthcare systems.

Reflecting on his organization's medical outreach programmes in states such as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Nasarawa, and Kaduna, Emejuru reiterated that this year’s International Nurses Week theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens the Economies”, should prompt stakeholders at all levels to make practical commitments to nurse welfare and capacity building.

The message is clear: for community health to thrive, nurses must be supported, celebrated, and above all, encouraged to deliver care with renewed compassion and fairness to all.

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