Patient advocacy is a core duty of nurses and nurses’ character traits such as moral courage, empathy have been found to influence the role. In view of this, Vice Deen of the school of Nursing and Midwifery at the University for Development Studies (UDS) Dr. Gilbert Nachinab called on nurses and midwives to be concerned about patients advocacy.
Dr Gilbert describes patient advocacy as promoting patient safety and quality care which includes; protecting patients, being patients’ voice, provision of quality care and interpersonal relationship as well as educating patients.
According to him, nurses should have adequate understanding of patient advocacy and be willing to advocate for patients. He says the ability of a nurse or midwife to protect a patient helps improve quality health care in the country. He was speaking at the celebration of this years’ International Nurses’ Day in Savelugu on the theme; Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and Respect Rights to Secure Global Health”.
The occassion organised by the the northern regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives’ Association (GRNMA) brought together members from the Upper East and West regions to interact and share ideas about pushing the agenda of the association forward. Dr. Gilbert further stressed that nurses must also aspire to become leaders in whatever capacity that will help their interest as nurses.
Meanwhile an Interim Regional operations manager at World Vision International in Ghana Robert Pwazaga who spoke as a guest speaker at the programme added his voice to the call by some nurses for government to improve the working conditions of all nurses and midwives in the country.
Some members of GRNMA were presented citation for their dedication and commitment towards the profession.
Source: zaanews.com/Lilian D. Walter
