Nurses in Murang’a County marked this year’s Nurses Week Thursday in a series of events held at Maranjau Prisons, aimed at improving community welfare, promoting education for girls, and supporting environmental conservation.
Speaking during the celebrations, Murang’a County Nursing Officer Salome Kimani said the week-long event provided an opportunity for nurses to reflect on their role in society beyond hospital settings and renew their commitment to serving communities.
She noted that nurses play a critical role not only in providing healthcare services but also in addressing social challenges that affect the wellbeing of communities.
Kimani said one of the key messages during the celebrations was the importance of educating and empowering the girl-child, noting that investing in girls’ education contributes greatly to the development of healthier and stronger communities.
The county nursing officer observed that educated girls are more likely to make informed health decisions, support their families, and contribute positively to economic and social development.
“The empowerment of the girl child remains an important pillar in building resilient communities. When girls are educated and supported, society benefits in many ways,” said Kimani.
The nursing officer also encouraged nurses in the area to take advantage of international opportunities available through partnerships with various organizations.
She said such partnerships help healthcare professionals access global career opportunities, professional training, and exposure that can improve service delivery locally and internationally.
Kimani noted that the healthcare profession continues to evolve and nurses must continuously seek knowledge and new experiences in order to enhance their skills and remain competitive globally.
During the event held at Maranjau Prison, the nurses interacted with inmates and participated in tree-planting activities as part of efforts to promote environmental conservation.
The tree planting exercise, she explained, was meant to support environmental conservation efforts and contribute to Murang’a County’s vision of increasing forest cover and promoting a greener environment.
Kimani said environmental conservation is closely linked to public health, noting that clean and healthy environments help reduce diseases and improve the quality of life for communities.
She praised the nurses for demonstrating compassion and commitment through their outreach activities, saying the profession requires not only medical expertise but also humanity and social responsibility.
The celebrations also highlighted the growing role of nurses in community-based healthcare programs, mental health support, preventive healthcare, and public health awareness campaigns.
Prison staff who witnessed the activities commended the nurses for extending their services beyond healthcare facilities and engaging directly with communities.
Kimani reiterated that nurses remain at the heart of healthcare delivery and called on stakeholders to continue supporting the profession through better working environments, training opportunities, and investments in the health sector.
She said the Nurses Week celebrations reflected the dedication of Murang’a nurses in promoting quality healthcare services while also championing education, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.
“As nurses, our duty goes beyond treating patients in hospitals. We are also part of the community, and we have a responsibility to contribute towards building a healthier and better society,” she said.
By Bernard Munyao
