Nurses and midwives from across East, Central, and Southern Africa are in solidarity calling for recognition and support in their line of duty.
Kenya’s Nurses and Midwives Association President, Mr. Collins Otieno Ajwang, emphasised the indispensable role of nurses in national healthcare and development, calling for greater recognition and fair remuneration.
Ajwang was speaking during the just concluded Vihiga County 4th (ECSACONM) East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery Conference, held from August 7th to 8th.
“Our nurses and midwives are heroes. They save lives, nurture communities, and contribute to national development. They deserve fair compensation and utmost respect,” Ajwang Said
His counterpart from Uganda, Mr. Justus Kiplagat, President of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Association, praised the resilience and impact of Uganda’s nursing workforce while officially inviting participants to next year’s conference in Uganda.
The two-day event brought together frontline health practitioners dedicated to primary and community health, creating a vital platform for sharing experiences, addressing pressing challenges, and advocating for the welfare of healthcare workers across the region.
Throughout the forum, participants explored topics including community health, communicable and chronic diseases, and practical strategies for healthier living. A consistent theme emerged—the urgent need to equip nurses with modern tools and technologies to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Health Services, Dr. Fredrick Ouma Oluga, joined the event virtually from Nairobi. He fondly recalled his service at Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital and pledged his unwavering support for the nursing fraternity, promising to forward their concerns to the national government.
The conference concluded on a celebratory note, with lively cultural performances and camaraderie among delegates from Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, and Kenya—united in their shared mission to strengthen healthcare systems across the region.
By Ian Mugamangi and Sylvester Muhadi
