LASCO CEO COMMENDED JAMAICAN NURSES FOR RECORD OF EXCELLENCE

Kingston, Jamaica

Hon. Lascelles Chin, Chairman/CEO of the LASCO Group of Companies has complimented Jamaican nurses for their commitment to high professional standards. He urged them to leverage the technology, in their efforts to maintain quality service delivery in the health sector.

“Nurses, I commend your dedication, determination and professionalism,” said Mr. Chin, while delivering the Address today, at the International Nurses’ Day Press Briefing & Launch of National Nurses’ Week at Terra Nova Hotel. “I urge you to intensify the use of the latest technology, as a necessary tool in addressing the health needs of Jamaicans.”

Emphasising that tele-nursing needs to be a permanent part of the Jamaican healthcare landscape, Mr. Chin pointed out that in this country where mobile phone penetration stands at 90%, tele-nursing can be used effectively in transmitting information on new and existing illnesses. Referring to the prevalence of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension in Jamaica, Mr. Chin commented, “There is a need for nurses and other health practitioners to collaborate in putting in place a monitoring system for these patients, via mobile or land-phone technology.” He added, “Mobile phones can also be used to provide round-the-clock nursing advice to patients, senior citizens, pregnant and nursing mothers, persons with HIV/AIDS and the average citizen needing information”.

The LASCO CEO underscored the need for health practitioners to frequently use non-traditional ways of disseminating health information, such as docu-dramas, local Cable TV programmes and popular entertainment events. He also suggested that the Health Ministry collaborate with the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) in maximizing the use of video-conferencing or teleconferencing in upgrading the nursing skills of its members. 

International Nurses Day is being observed under the theme, ‘Delivering quality, serving communities: Nurses Leading Care Innovations’. Health

Minister, Rudyard Spencer, whose International Nurses’ Day Message was delivered by Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Leila McWhinney Dehaney, praised the nurses for their enviable reputation of excellence.  He gave the assurance that government would be putting measures in place to improve the infrastructure in the sector. “We plan to rehabilitate 156 health centres across the island and have already gotten support to the tune of $300M from the National Health Fund.  This is only one of many initiatives that we are embarking on towards the improvement of healthcare delivery in the island, particularly to ensure the success of our ‘no user fees’ policy,”  indicated the Minister’s message.

President of the Nurses Association of Jamaica Edith Allwood-Anderson who addressed the gathering bemoaned that the role of nurses in care innovations is seldom acknowledged. She highlighted the urgency for nurses to “document carefully your innovations and outcomes”, so it can be preserved for the future generations. In this vein, the NAJ President pointed out that, Nurses’ Summer School this year will be held in Emancipation Park and the public will be invited to hear testimonies of some of the innovations being spearheaded by local nurses.

Guest Speaker at the International Nurses’ Day (IND) event, Lyttleton Shirley, urged nurses to be “social icons” in communities, by advocating on behalf of the vulnerable. Mr. Shirley implored that nurses must be visionary and innovative leaders on and off the job: “Nurses need to rise against poor social and environmental conditions.”

 At today’s IND event at Terra Nova Hotel, it was announced that Jamaican nurse, educator and researcher extraordinaire Dr. Hermi Hewitt is to be inducted into the Prestigious American Academy of Nurses Hall of Fame for academic excellence. The observance of IND is aimed at highlighting the important role that Nurses are playing in communities and the health sector. It is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth (the pioneer of modern nursing).

LASCO is an annual partner with the NAJ for the staging of International Nurses’ Day and National Nurses’ Week activities. This year National Nurses’ Week will be observed from July 19 – 25. It will commence with an ecumenical Church Service at Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay and culminate with the LASCO/NAJ Nurse of the Year Awards Ceremony. LASCO will be making available $130,000 for the winner; $80,000 for the first runner up, and $50,000 for the 2^nd Runner Up.

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Contact:

Erica James-King     
Communication Manager | PROComm
P 876-926-6740 | M 876-564-5277 | F 876-926-8676