PESHAWAR: Speakers at a symposium urged nurses to improve patient safety protocol, reinforce infection control measures, uphold professionalism and strengthen nursing principles to ensure effective patient care.

The event was held at Burn and Plastic Surgery Centre, Hayatabad Medical Complex, to commemorate the sacrifices of US nurses. “One of the US nurses had died last year,” said Prof Tahmeedullah, the director of the centre.

A press release said that in January 2023, a group of American nurses arrived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to offer aid to flood victims. They were housed in a guest house in University Town where two of them injured in a gas cylinder blast.

The injured nurses were rushed to Burn and Plastic Surgery Centre for urgent medical attention. One nurse suffered from 100 per cent burns while the other had 50 per cent burns. Despite the efforts of medical team, one nurse succumbed to her injuries while the other fought for her life.

Prof Tahmeed said that the memory of those brave nurses still lingered in the hearts and minds of those, who worked tirelessly to save them. In a poignant gesture of remembrance and tribute, the doctors and nurses at the centre organised the symposium in their honour.

The symposium was attended by nurses of Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex besides students of HMC Nursing College, NWGH Nursing College and RMI Nursing College.

Prof Tahmeed expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the faculty members and participating nurses. He said that such training sessions would have a profound impact on patient care, ensuring that the legacy of the fallen nurses lived on through the dedication and commitment of their colleagues.

“In a world often overshadowed by tragedy, such moments remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of unity in the face of adversity. The symposium and workshops held in memory of the American nurses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands as a testament to the enduring bond of compassion and the unwavering commitment to excellence in healthcare,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2024