BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE- Bravo!
Prime Minister Cleopas Sipho Dlamini praised nurses and midwives for the dedication they demonstrate in addressing health challenges faced by communities and meeting Regional and Global targets.
The PM, who was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku, was speaking at the official opening of the 15th Biennial East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing (ECSACON) Scientific Conference and 7th Quadrennial General Assembly today at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha.
The Conference is attended by delegates from all 16 ECSA Member States.
The PM said the Kingdom of Eswatini, just like other countries in the ECSA region, was committed to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC), saying in this regard, they were cognisant that nurses and midwives are essential to achieving UHC through Primary Health Care.”
“The change in disease burdens and emerging new diseases, such as COVID-19, has highlighted the need to strengthen how healthcare is delivered in the ECSA region and the world at large. This also challenges the nursing and midwifery professions to embrace science and innovation as they constantly search for solutions for the new and complex challenges they face in the production of nurses and midwives (education), leadership and management, research as well as clinical practice.”
The PM further said the conference, therefore, comes at an opportune time to share lessons learned and learn from each other to contribute to attaining universal health coverage and the sustainable development goals.
WHO Director General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus also commended all nurses and midwives in the ECSA, along with health and care worker colleagues, for their steadfast commitment and courage during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying they were making a difference.”
ECSASON President Keoagetse Kgwabi said ECSASON continued to improve the quality of health in communities through strengthening the capacity of nurses and midwives, saying nurses and midwives made a contribution to all components of primary healthcare.
