International Nurses Day: Nurses honoured for vital contribution to healthcare delivery

On the occasion of the International Nurses Day 2026 observed annually on 12 May, an official ceremony was held this morning at the Polytechnics Mauritius in Pamplemousses, to honour the vital role and dedication of nursing officers in delivering quality healthcare to the population.

The Director of Nursing at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr B.R Guness, the Registrar of Nursing Council, Mr Krist Dhurmah, and the lecturer at Polytechnics Mauritius in Nursing, Mr Jay Seegolam, were among the key attendees.

In his address, Mr Guness highlighted that the day provides an opportunity to recognise and valorise the invaluable contribution of the nursing community, which remains at the heart of the healthcare system in Mauritius. He stressed the importance of supporting, investing in and empowering nurses to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services and enhanced patient safety.

Speaking on the theme, he indicated that it addresses key challenges facing the healthcare sector, including workforce shortages, increasing healthcare demands and the growing need for nursing leadership in strengthening health systems. “It is now more important than ever to develop the competencies and professional qualities of nurses to ensure quality healthcare services,” he said.

For his part, Mr Dhurmah recalled that the Nursing Council serves as the regulatory body responsible for licensing nurses to practise. He emphasised the Council’s pivotal role in professionalising the nursing profession, ensuring that practitioners are adequately trained, and upholding ethical standards within the sector. He further welcomed the range of specialised courses currently being offered by universities for nurses, describing the initiative as commendable.

International Nurses Day

The Day is celebrated on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, the founder of modern nursing, widely known as the "Lady with the Lamp" for her care of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. The theme retained for this year is “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”

12 May 2026

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Topics: Health