Amidst complaints that some nurses are uncaring, caregivers have been advised to carry out their duties with compassion and professionalism.

The nurses were also charged to show equal love and care to all patients irrespective of class and status, while adhering to the ethics of the profession.

The Chairperson of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Adaku Nwosu gave the advice during a one day sit-out organised for Elele Nurses Forum (ENF) by Medical Visions for Peace (MPV) in Port Harcourt.

According to her, nurses should be compassionate with the sick, considering that the current economic woes in the country have increased number of sick people thereby, crowding the hospitals and overwhelming the nurses.

She urged the nurses not to be deterred by the startling realities but to passionately attend to all patients, noting that the economic situation in the country is making people to be upset and agitated.

She said the sick require good care to go home healthier and happier.

Nwosu thanked the founder and CEO of MPV, Dr Ogu Emejuru, Special Adviser to the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, for celebrating nurses from his clan and advised him to partner with his kinsmen abroad to accommodate other local councils in Rivers State.

On her part, the Coordinator of Nurses MVP, Nigeria, Kechinyere Orgba, expressed happiness that the non-governmental organisation has recognised the efforts nurses in the health care system.

She commended MVP for celebrating the unsung heroes, stating that nurses are the unsung heroes who nobody celebrates and thanked the founder for the kind gesture.

Emejuru has acknowledged that nurses form an important backbone of healthcare delivery worldwide, especially in Nigeria.

He noted that nurses occupy a strategic chain link that stretches from policy formulation to the practical impact on the health care of the community and stressed the need for them to be celebrated.

Emejuru, who is also the attending Pediatrician Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical School, disclosed that MVP has carried out similar medical missions in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States.

He said, his action is in line with this year’s International Nurses Week themed “Our Nurses, our Future. Caring for Nurses strengthens the Economies “.