The Nairobi Hospital marked the end of International Nurses Week with a heartfelt ceremony at its Amphitheatre, honouring nurses for their indispensable role in Kenya’s healthcare system and pledging stronger institutional support for their personal and professional well-being.
The event brought together healthcare professionals, leadership, and guests under the theme of recognizing and empowering nurses beyond symbolic celebrations.
Delivering the keynote address, Daystar University’s Dean of Nursing, Dr. Susan Njuguna, emphasized that the treatment of nurses directly affects patient care outcomes and the resilience of health systems.
She advocated for the protection of nurses’ dignity and called for concrete policies to support their mental, emotional, and physical wellness.”By creating a context in which nurses can flourish professionally and personally with dignity, the result is optimizing patient care and the effectiveness and durability of health systems and economies,” said Dr. Njuguna.
She urged health facilities to implement supportive workplace practices such as mental health programs, stress management services, and improved staffing levels, while also addressing broader systemic issues like inadequate health financing and infrastructure gaps that undermine nursing care.
The Nairobi Hospital’s CEO, Felix Osano, outlined the institution’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives to support its nursing workforce. Since January, the hospital has: Sponsored 32 nurses to attend National Nursing Conferences; Certified 56 nurses in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); Selected four nurses to attend the upcoming International Nurses Council Conference in Finland.
Osano also announced plans to sponsor higher diploma studies in specialized areas of nursing beginning in August 2025.“The hospital is committed to not only appreciating nurses by word of mouth but also by showing it through tangible action and opportunity,” said Osano.
The ceremony was highlighted by the recognition of Mercy Mkubwa, a Nurse Educator and Researcher at The Nairobi Hospital, who was recently awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Florence Nightingale Foundation in the UK.
Mkubwa is among the first two Kenyan nurses selected for the highly competitive global program.”It’s the smallest thing we do that matters,” Mkubwa remarked during her address, reflecting on the often-unseen impact of nurses’ daily efforts.
The Nairobi Hospital concluded the ceremony by reaffirming its dedication to fostering nursing excellence through investment in professional development, policy advocacy, and holistic well-being programs.
The event capped off a week of reflection, appreciation, and renewed commitment to supporting the backbone of the healthcare system — the nurses.
