President tells nurses:

Treat patients with care

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

A ceremony to award Diplomas to nurses was held at Temple Trees yesterday under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Here President Rajapaksa awarding diplomas to nurses. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Provincial Governors, Provincial Health Ministers, Health Ministry Secretary Dr Ravindra Ruberu and Principals of Nursing Schools were present on the occasion. Picture by Chandana Perera

President Mahinda Rajapaksa advised the newly appointed nurses not to neglect the vital and pivotal role of a nurse.

President Rajapaksa was addressing the first batch of Nursing Diploma Holders at Temple Trees yesterday. Of the 1441 three year nursing diploma holders, 42 nurses received their certificates at the ceremony.

'Nurses as other government servants are duty bound to serve the patients since government servants are paid by public funds. In other words, nurses as well as other government servants are paid by the public. Therefore, nurses are duty bound to perform their duty well, they have a responsibility to their patients, the President said.

Highlighting the value of nurses, the President further added that patients at hospitals need more care and attention than medicine since they are helpless. Nurse should give utmost priority to serve patients who are badly in need, care and attention. "The nursing service is the only service, which has not been tainted with bribery or corruption. You as a nurse has a great responsibility to look after the patients.

'Your smiling face will cure patients. A smile is more powerful sometimes than a drug to cure patients. Caring and ministering are equally important to cure patients. When caring for patients treat them in the same way as you would look after your parents or siblings, the President said.