Nurses all across the country working in various hospitals and health establishments are on standby for any health related emergency that could arise at polling units or in communities as Nigerians head to vote today

 

Nurses are an integral part of any emergency response plan and would be manning their duty posts particularly the accident and emergency units for any emergencies. 

 

Generally, the elections has been forcasted to be a peaceful one but Nurses are determined not to let down their guard as they ensure readiness and emergency preparedness to any untoward event especially in flashpoints and violence prone risk areas

 

 

Nurse Jude Chiedu a trained accident and emergency nurse who spoke to a Nursingworld correspondent noted that while we continue to preach 'vote NOT violence', we also need to ensure that mitigative measures are put in place to cushion the aftermath of any eventualities. 

 

He continued 'we must not forget that in the 2015 elections, there was reported significant incidences of shootings, conflicts, protests, arson and fatalities in most geopolitical zones. As Nurses, we serve a critical role in emergency preparedness at the local, state, and national levels through planning, community and consumer education, and direct care provided during emergencies. We are at the fore front in caring for the population when they present to any facility in an emergency state and with injuries, lacerations or gun shot wounds.