UAE marks International Nurses Day
Shaikha Fatima highlights importance of nursing sector in the UAE
Abu Dhabi: Nurses in the UAE marked International Nurses Day on Saturday with a tribute to female Muslim nurses.
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak told the Emirates Nursing Association that the event is also in celebration of "a group of women who accompanied Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)" considered "the first nurses in history."
"Rufaida Bint Ka'ab Al Slamia was the first nurse in Islam, who devoted herself for serving the injured people," said Shaikha Fatima, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the UAE General Women's Union and Chairwoman of The Supreme Council For Motherhood & Childhood.
International Nurses Day falls on May 12.
"The UAE leadership gave directives to the concerned authorities to work on securing privileges and suitable conditions in order to motivate Emirati Women to join this profession," Shaikha Fatima said.
She noted an increase in the number of UAE women who have enrolled in nursing colleges in the country.
She said more focus is being given on the UAE health sector and that the government is exerting more effort to upgrade health services to be on par with the highest international standards.
