President Faure to launch International Year of Nurses and Midwives in Seychelles |19 February 2020

President Danny Faure will officially launch a year long series of activities to commemorate the International Year of Nurses and Midwives in Seychelles on Friday February 21 at the AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa.

Two hundred nurses from all over Seychelles, both in active practice and retired, representing both the public and private sectors, will attend the event.

Vice-President of the International Council of Nurses, Sheila Tlou, will also be present and deliver a speech at the invitation of the Nurses Association of the Republic of Seychelles (Nars).

Following the official launch, nurses and midwives will continue to ponder over their professions throughout the day with presentations and reflections on their journey so far and on the collective professional journey that remains ahead of them.

Chief nursing officer of the Ministry of Health, Gylian Mein, explains that the World Health Organisation and the International Council of Nurses have jointly proclaimed the International Year of Nurses and Midwives to draw attention to the vital roles nurses and midwives have to play to achieve the sustainable development goals by 2030, especially universal health coverage.

“2020 also coincides with the 200th year since the birth of Florence Nightingale, the trailblazer of the nursing profession,” she said.

“Throughout the year, nurses in Seychelles will organise a large variety of educational, reflective and entertainment activities for the mind and the body,” she added.

“Some nurses will be rewarded for their remarkable life-long contributions while youths will be encouraged to join the profession. These activities will culminate on The International Day of Midwives on May 5 and the International Day of Nurses on the May 12,” she further added.

Communique from the Ministry of Health