Members of Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in the Upper West Region have climaxed their 2019 weeklong celebration in a bid to pursue equitable health for the people.

The celebration commenced on May 14 and ended on May 18, under the theme: “Health for All: Nurses and Midwives, a Voice to Lead”.

Nurses and midwives and students in the field from all over the Region participated in the activities that included blood donation, cleanup exercises and health talks.

They came together under a unified professional body to advance the interest of the nursing and midwifery profession.

The celebration sought to promote a better understanding and dignity of the two enviable health professions to maintain honour, independence, professional standards, discipline and etiquette.

Ms Victoria Dohoro Dangori, the Upper West Regional Chairperson of GRNMA, reiterated the Association’s vision of becoming leaders of frontline healthcare service providers and building excellent team players in the healthcare continuum.

The celebration is commemorated yearly to coincide with the birthday of a remarkable woman, Florence Nightingale, whose hard work, innovation and dedication to the sick and wounded earned her the enviable title as a mother of the modern-day nursing and midwifery.

Ms Dangori charged the professionals to strive and emulate the shining example of Florence Nightingale and be more professional in handling patients.

“You must play your role and serve as advocates for all persons to have access to healthcare in the Region,” she said.

Dr Hafiz Bin-Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, said government was committed to achieving universal health coverage as contained in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

The universal coverage requires health systems to be able to provide affordable, equitable and easily accessible healthcare to all citizens in a sustainable manner.

“As you celebrate the Nurses and Midwives Day 2019, I urge you all to make professionalism your hallmark and to, at all times, be guided by the tenets of your noble profession,” he said.