THE NURSES Association of Jamaica (NAJ) will celebrate 60 years of service to the nation, under the theme, 'Celebrating the Past, Charting the future' during National Nurses Week, July 16 to 22.
The association's advocacy has won for Jamaican nurses increased recognition, formal registration and remuneration, in addition to contributing to the local establishment of post-basic and continuing education for nurses to the master's level.
The launch of National Nurses Week, held on International Nurses Day, May 12, focused on the topic 'Safe Staffing Saves Lives'. This subject addresses the current staff shortage in the nursing profession, translating to the improper care of patients, due to an imbalance in the patient to nurse ratio.
Among those who addressed the gathering was Horace Dalley, Minister of Health, who spoke of the flourishing relationship between the NAJ and the ministry, as their representatives continue discussions on the welfare of the nation's nurses. Mr. Lascelles Chin, chairman and CEO of the LASCO Group of Companies, in his greetings spoke of the "LASCO and NAJ bond" as the company continues to support the NAJ in its efforts to improve the situation of nurses. This year LASCO contributed over $1 million towards NAJ activities.
National Nurses Week, officially kicks off on July 16, with church services islandwide, and progresses throughout the week with celebrations and commu-nity outreach activities, to its high point on July 22, with the LASCO National Nurse of the Year Awards ceremony.
