The President of the Order of Nurses in Lebanon, Dr. Myrna Abi Abdallah Doumit shared her words on the occasion of International Nurses Day, on May 12th; a day celebrated throughout the world but differently this year, because of COVID-19 and the circumstances that Lebanon has been facing. This past year, specifically from May 2020 to May 2021, many events have unfolded, and the nurses proved to be the cornerstone in the battle against COVID-19 being the frontline workers defending the people and the community.
The President presented the Order of Nurses’ accomplishments for the past two years:
• Being pioneers in providing competency based training on dealing with COVID-19 pandemic
• Securing job opportunities for nurses in quarantine centers,
• Providing rooms in hotels for the asymptomatic nurses to self isolate
• Distributing financial donations to nurses who were affected by the Beirut blast
• Declaring a state of Nursing emergency
• Requesting financial benefits from the government to maintain the nurses’ rights
• Shedding the light on the leadership role that nurses play in the healthcare sector
Moreover, the President voiced her concerns about the future of the nursing profession and the economic and social status of nurses as a result of the drastic decrease in salaries and benefits that does not correspond to their efforts. This reality has pushed experienced nurses to leave the country in search of better work opportunities, putting at risk the safety of the healthcare system.
The President emphasized that “Rights are not given, rather they are taken”; calling therefore all nurses to come hand in hand, united to restore rights. She added that we should fight together to overcome the difficulties and the hardships to obtain the nurses demands and ensuring sustainable long-term rights.
