International Nurses Day

We wouldn't have got through 2020 without the unstoppable force of nurses and doctors around the world.

On International Nurses Day, and beyond, we celebrate our nurses.

Here are 6 of the nurses we work with 

Nicole works as a nurse at the triage and isolation unit in a clinic supported by Save the Children in Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo:

“I was working at Lusaje hospital, but now I work in the triage centre. I’m in charge of receiving patients, guiding them to the hand washing point, taking their temperature and filling in the forms with the patients. If their temperature is normal, I send the patient to the consulting room to receive medical treatment. If their temperature is high, I isolate the patient, I alert the investigation team and they take the patient to Ebola Treatment Centre.”

Faustin, Save the Children Nurse Supervisor, stops by Bela Clinic in Mandima to check in on the team.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is battling the second largest Ebola epidemic in history, with more than 2,200 lives lost and 3,350 infections, including over 950 children, since the outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018. 

Jen is a Nurse at the Mahama Camp and started with Save the Children in September 2015. She delivers counseling and services for maternity care, family planning, antenatal care, prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMCTC), gender-based violence, and post-abortion care. 

Jen participated in Save the Children-supported trainings on the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), family planning, comprehensive counseling, and post-abortion care. These trainings allowed her to supplement clinical education from the government and provide services to refugee populations:

“When provide counseling, it’s a big achievement to be able to provide all methods. You are also more confident when you are well trained.”

Muna is a nurse at a Save the Children supported malnutrition stabilisation centre in Somalia.

"During droughts, pastoralists are the ones who are impacted the most. There are increased water shortages and their livestock become very weak. And there are disease outbreaks, like diarrhoea. When there is a diarrhoea outbreak, and children don't have enough food and clean water, the chances of them becoming malnourished increases.

If the children don't get treatment, they will be at risk because there will be complications that come with malnutrition and if the complications increase, it may result in the child's death."

Adam is one of the nurses and health officers working at the OTP/TSFP section of the mobile health centre (MHC) in Burao, Somalia, where a number of families from neighbouring IDP camps come for health check-ups.

"The MHC is operating very well," he says. "We welcome the mother when she comes the first time and I introduce myself to her.

"I ask her how the child is and whether she breastfeeds, about her lifestyle and I record her history."

He advises families about nutrition, water safety, the importance of handwashing and how to feed children the therapeutic food (RUTF). After assessing a child's health, if needed he also refers them for vaccinations or medications, or to his colleagues for a follow-up appointment.

Annie is working as a Nurse at Save the Children’s Primary Health Care Centre in Teknaf, cox’s Bazar.

“My role is to take care of the patients who are admitted in the PHCC. I have seen faces coming here with worries and tears and going back to home with good health and smile on their faces. I have seen them coming back to PHCC just to say Hello to us. I have seen many children waving at me with a cute smile. Like all other health professionals, I am proud to be part of providing services to the communities in need.”- says Annie 

Thank you to every nurse around the world.