Acknowledge the Angels
Mar 10th, 2008 by Pat Daoust
A little over a year ago Time Magazine highlighted people they called “angels”—individuals praised for making a difference in the world of global health. I remember reading the stories of physicians, researchers and scientists and of their contributions and extraordinary efforts. I was, however, saddened that the invaluable work of the professional nurse went unrecognized.
Here in Uganda at the First Forum on Human Resources for Health, where the focus is on the development of a Global Action Plan—a guide to make a lasting impact on the human resources crisis in developing countries—I have had the opportunity to attend a number of sessions that actually acknowledge the essential role of the nurse. In many African countries nurses comprise up to 70% of the health work force: if you don’t include the voice of the nurse a successful HR plan would be hard to come by!
Eager to get first hand input from nurses attending the conference I collaborated with a nurse member of our partnership organization here in Uganda, AGHA. Together we arranged for an impromptu meeting over lunch with nurses interested in sharing their perspectives: what issues need to be addressed in order to retain skilled, motivated nurses able to provide quality, accessible health care.
To my amazement what I had thought would be a handful of nurses turned out to be over 20, all eager to share their personal experiences. They talked about the need to be recognized and respected as “professionals,” to have access to ongoing educational opportunities that led to professional growth; to work in a safe and secure work environment free from harassment and attack; to care for patients in facilities that had electricity and running water; to know that if they suffered from an occupational exposure to HIV or Hepatitis that they could receive confidential and free care.
Their requests were straight forward—but seemingly out of reach. Patrick, Secretariat of the Uganda Nurses Association, shared with me that policies to address many of these issues were in place, but nothing has been implemented. His fear was we would leave the forum with yet another plan—but no action. “How can we be motivated when we are not respected and our voices seem to be ignored?”
As one nurse, Lucy, said “I am proud to be a nurse but I am not happy.” She told stories of having to care for 30-40 critically ill patients on a hospital ward with no supplies, not even a BP cuff that worked, and one O2 tank that frequently was non-operational. Most of those admitted for care died simply because of the lack of adequate equipment and too few nurses to provide care. “I am not going to stop trying to care but it is difficult,” she said.
As I shared the mission of the Health Action AIDS campaign and AGHA with the group and the role that our joint advocacy efforts could play in strengthening their voices, interest peaked, and the energy and enthusiasm of the discussion grew. Participation in the demand for accountability was enticing. Our session ended with 20 new members of PHR and AGHA—a promise to continue the dialogue and pursue the rights that all health professionals, especially nurses, deserve.
Among the many successes of this forum I think we can count the fact that we have a contingent of nurses who perhaps for the first time feel a sense of support and hope. My goal is that sometime in the near future nurses in the forefront of the AIDS battle are given the acknowledgment they have long deserved and are finally recognized among the “angels” for their invaluable contributions to health rights.
