In what was termed as a stress-relief session, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) nurses and midwives spent the best part of hours at Italiano Bar and Restaurant in Mbarara City attending their get-together party. The event was graced by the MRRH Administration, Heads of Departments, and Senior Doctors, among others.
The attendees did not miss out on a motivational talk from Maureen Kahima, a Counseling Psychologist and Deputy Dean of Students at Mbarara University of Science and Technology. She emphasized that every staff member should start preparing for retirement from the first day of receiving the appointment letter. However, financial indiscipline has taken a toll on the saving culture of most Ugandans.
This is evidenced by the 2020 Financial Capability Survey conducted by the Bank of Uganda, revealing that about 50 percent of Ugandans save money, but 40 percent save for immediate consumption, with only 20 percent saving towards achieving a specific life goal. Given these statistics, one might conclude that 40% of Ugandans may find it challenging years after entering the world of retirees.
It is, therefore, essential for nurses and midwives to use their time wisely and invest in alternative business-generating projects while still in service.
Shalon Atuhaire, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee and Midwife at MRRH, welcomed the motivational speaker’s sermon and urged fellow staff to support one another. She appreciated the administration for supporting nurses in different fields and requested the Public Relations and Communication Department, led by Halson Kagure, to extend a hand in organizing such ceremonies where staff are provided with new insights outside their profession.
Mrs. Rhoda Tumugumye, the Coordinator of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union, Ankole branch, applauded the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Director, Dr. Celestine Barigye, for rallying behind the welfare of nurses and midwives. According to Sr. Rhoda, Dr. Barigye has been tolerant of union members, even when they are advocating for the rights of health workers.
The Heads of Departments (HoDs) were represented by Dr. Musa Kayondo, the Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at MRRH, who urged health workers to maintain professionalism. He warned against health workers spending excessive time on social media instead of paying attention to patients or clients, emphasizing the potential consequences of negligence during medical procedures.
The Hospital Senior Principal Nursing Officer, Juliet Ankunda, called upon nurses and midwives to refrain from engaging in corrupt acts that endanger the lives of patients.
However, Halson Kagure, the Public Relations Officer of Mbarara Referral Hospital, who spoke on behalf of the Hospital Director, Dr. Celestine Barigye, congratulated nurses and midwives for successfully organizing their first get-together party to appreciate themselves.
Kagure mentioned that the administration consistently promotes teamwork among the nurses, considering it a crucial tool for enhancing internal relations in the workplace. Furthermore, Kagure pledged to liaise with the Office of the Hospital Director to explore ways to rebrand the nurses and midwives’ get-together party to ensure its relevance.
“In the future, we will work towards involving all members of the administration in this event because we recognize that you constitute a significant portion of our workforce,” Kagure affirmed.
