Port Moresby: Catholic Church Health Services (CCHS) staff and invited guests commemorated the International Nurses Day and officially launched their website on Wednesday 12th May 2021, at the CCHS National Office in Boroko.
The largest faith-based health provider launched the website, on the day to dedicate the achievement of the organization and most significant assets of the organization, its nurses. The International Nurses Day theme “A voice to lead, a vision for health” was embraced as it reflected what the website represented to CCHS staff across the country.
Attending the event was the key note speaker, Dr Lucy John, Executive Manager Public Health representing National Department of Health Secretary, Chairman and Bishop Deputy for Health Most Reverent Bishop Francis Meli, General Secretary for Catholic Bishops Conference, Australian High Commissioners Representative, Departmental Representatives and Key Stakeholders.
The National CCHS Secretary, Sr Jadwiga Faliszek said “Today CCHS share its joy in celebrating another achievement, the official launch of our website to connect us digitally with the rest of the world.” “We show our unity by sharing our work and achievements and the website will be an essential platform to showcase all of this.”
She added that with the current pandemic, everyone is going digital and the website launch is timely. “I stand here not only as a leader but also as a nurse, representing all our frontline nurses who I like to refer to them as heroes, who time after time continue to serve despite the challenging conditions.” “It is even more difficult at this time when we are faced with a global health crisis.” She acknowledged and thanked all CCHS frontline health workers risking themselves and their
families in dedication to this humble service. “We are countlessly blessed, as we are called upon to care for people with love and compassion in our daily healing ministry.”
Addressing the launch as an achievement, Dr John said apart from the government Catholic Church is the biggest service provider in the country in terms of health and education and this website would now connect those far, near and help spread the work of the church in terms of health services. “Where the government cannot go, the Church is already there”, Dr John said. “The Department of Health is happy to work in partnership with the Catholic Church to help deliver health services to the people, most especially in the rural areas of Papua New Guinea.”
Most Reverend Bishop Francis Meli had the privilege to officially launch the website and described it as a historical event for the Health Commission. He congratulated the National CCHS team for their tireless efforts in ensuring the website’s success. “The launching shows a mission to promote life in all its fullness, to recognize the basic goodness of all people, promote pastoral care and the values of assisting each other to find a sense of fulfilment,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of International Nurses Day, he commanded the hard and relentless work they continue to provide for the Church, and reminded them that the core responsibility of nurses was to provide patients with care.
Reflecting on International Nurses Day, William Vagi, Community Health Worker of CCHS since 2007, gave his testimony of the reality and hardships felt by nurses serving it rural and urban medical centres.
“Despite limitations, when a patient arrives, we make sure that they receive the best of care we can provide,” he said. “If we are unable to handle the case, we organize referrals for our patients to be transferred to other clinics that have the equipment and resources.”
Other highlights of the program included a sharing of the history of CCHS and the preview of a moving video appreciating nurses and the work they did.
The program ended with the cutting of the International Nurses Day cake and refreshments.
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