Sherolyn Pemberton helps patients

The Nevis Nurses Association celebrated International Nurses Day with their annual week of activities under the theme, "Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Chronic Care."

Mrs. Patricia Hanley, a retired nurse and the Advisor in Health, opened the week with an address on the morning of Monday, May 10, at the Alexandra Hospital Conference Room.

"The world is facing a massive increase in the levels of death and disability resulting from chronic disease. As a result, the need for increased access to appropriate and affordable care for people with chronic conditions is immense," she said.

"As the health sector seeks to address this threat to global health and well-being, the potential for nurses to make a contribution in the prevention and the care of those already affected has never been greater."

Mrs. Hanley informed, with reference to a World Health Organization (WHO) statement from 2002, that a chronic disease is a "disease of long duration and slow progression" and that chronic conditions are "health problems that require continuous management over a period of years or decades."

"Chronic disease imposes high costs in human, social and economic terms. It prevents individuals and communities from achieving their potential and robs people of their future," she continued.

Some of the costs mentioned were time lost in the home, in education, for leisure, and at the workplace, resulting in reduced quality of life as well as increased levels of poverty for individuals and families.

She further noted that the principal causative factors of chronic disease frequently exist outside of the health sector.

"Hence, strategies aimed at preventing chronic disease need the involvement of the other sectors such as agriculture, finance, trade, transport, urban planning, education and sport. Strategies for reducing risk factors should foster a collaborative approach, aimed at increasing awareness, providing and encouraging realistic and affordable healthy choices," said the Health Advisor.

She also said despite a dearth of nurses globally, there is a pressing need for nurses far and wide to "take the initiative" and engage with "all parts of the community" and all sectors to deal with this escalating threat to worldwide health and well-being.
"If each nurse plays his or her part in education, Nevis, the Federation and the world at large would be a healthier place," she stated.

Mrs. Hanley expressed praise to the nurses for doing their work well and encouraged them. She then officially declared the week open.

According to the President of the Nevis Nurses Association, Nurse Averil Walters, a symposium on hypertension was also held that morning in the conference room.

Sick and retired nurses were visited by the association at 4:30 p.m. They were given fruit baskets, after which the association's members prayed and sang with them.

Guest speakers from Social Security and the island's Treasury came to the Alexandra Hospital conference room to discuss investment, salary and pension, respectively, on Wednesday, May 12. This was the official International Nurses Day, where the phrase "NURSES DAY! LOVE A NURSE! ADOPT A NURSE!" was put into focus.

A candle light service was held at the Rehoboth Church of God, Liburd Hill, at 7:30 p.m. which was reportedly well-attended.

A social evening was held at Rumours Bar and Grill in New Castle where association members enjoyed themselves by participating in karaoke singing.

A well-attended luncheon was held at the Nevis Blind, Light and Visually Impaired Society Blind School on Friday, May 14, from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

From Monday to Saturday that week, different members of the association went on Voice Of Nevis (V.O.N.) Radio for the morning inspiration programme which is from 6:00 - 7:00 a.m.

A health fair started at 8:30 a.m. and lasted until about 12 noon on Saturday, May 15 in the War Memorial Square. Nurses took shifts throughout the event. When The Observer arrives on the scene, there were five nurses on duty, including: Sherolyn Pemberton - Anesthetic services; Mildred Mintos - Outpatient services; Lenore Pemberton (retired) - Eye Clinic services.

Nurse Walters was on hand and she reported they had nearly one hundred persons taking advantage of their complimentary services. There were at least one or two persons who had elevated blood glucose and had to see a doctor straight afterwards. No cases of excessive blood pressure were discovered.

She noted that the public is increasing their acceptance of the nurses along with their efforts, referencing the crowd of persons sitting in the square waiting for their arrival.

"The rain started this morning, we wanted to put it off but we couldn't because the crowd was so large - we had to continue with the rain. God is good; he held up the rain so the persons kept coming," Nurse Walters stated.

At one point, there was a crowd of over 20 persons, who waited patiently in a line.
"They like when we come to them; they really look for us. They look to see us here so we come out often enough … because some people wouldn't get up and go to a doctor's office, or they would not just say 'Let me go the Health Centre and have my blood pressure checked,' " she explained.

Nurse Walters also said that when they visit the square, people would always come. With that in mind, they utilized the exercise as a screening so that those who are diabetic and hypertensive could be referred to a doctor.

A scheduled shopping trip to St. Estatius for Sunday the 16th was cancelled due to an insufficient number of tickets being sold. The association is scheduled to have a coastline cruise on the Sea Bridge around Nevis on Saturday, May 22 from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. The cruise is for the nurses to enjoy themselves in a party-like atmosphere.

"We had a very successful week," said. Nurse Walters, expressing her gratitude to the general public for their invaluable support over her four years of presidency.
She came back to Nevis from St. Kitts in 1990 and became an active member as the association's treasurer. There are 34 members in the Nevis branch.

In 2007, she was elected president. A person can serve as president for no more than two consecutive 2-year terms. Once her final term is completed, she can become a member of the executive body.

Conferences are held bi-annually; each time in a different member country. These seminars engage the attendees in 20 - 35 hours worth of nursing education. When they are held, the St. Kitts-Nevis Nurses Association sends representatives to attend them. This year's seminar will be held in October in Aruba.

The Federation's association is a member of the Caribbean Nurses Organization (CNO) which begun in 1957. CNO has about 30 member countries consisting of French, Dutch, and English-speaking territories.

This is the centennial year since the passing of Florence Nightingale (12th May, 1820 - 13th August, 1910). Thus, the United Nations has dubbed this year as "The Year of the Nurse." It is on Nightingale's birthday that International Nurses Day is observed yearly. She laid the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment of her nursing school at St. Thomas' Hospital in London in 1860.