The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs joined the global community in Celebrating World International Nurses Day on Monday, May 12, 2025. Under the theme “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies,” the observance highlighted the critical role of nurses and midwives and underscored the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting their wellbeing.

Chief Nursing Officer, Nurse Kerthney Surage, emphasized that International Nurses Day is a moment to recognize the unwavering commitment of nurses who often work silently behind the scenes, providing essential care, education, and support.

“This is a special day taken to recognize the unwavering commitment of our nurses and midwives who often work quietly behind the scenes administering care, support and education to clients. It is a time to celebrate their dedication, resilience and strength and to recognize the amazing accomplishments and advancements in nursing regulation, nursing education, nursing practice and nursing administration,” she explained.

This year’s theme brought to the forefront the often overlooked need to care for those who care for others. Nurse Surage Further highlighted the increasing demands on nursing professionals in a complex, post-COVID healthcare landscape, where nurses are required to display not only clinical expertise but leadership, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

“Nursing is a highly skilled profession that requires remarkable dedication, professionalism, expertise and self-sacrifice. As health systems become more complex especially in this post-COVID era, the roles of nurses have expanded, demanding more critical skills in addition to leadership skills and emotional intelligence. The demanding nature of healthcare, especially during emergencies, can lead to fatigue, burnout, anxiety and sometimes depression. Prioritizing the wellbeing of nurses ensures that they can continue to provide the high-quality care that is so critical to the health of our nation,” Nurse Surage added.

In response to these challenges, the Ministry launched a Mental Wellness Campaign in April 2025, specifically aimed at supporting nurses and midwives. The initiative provides financial and technical support for training, mental wellness activities, health education, and access to employee assistance services.

The Ministry acknowledges that the mental health of healthcare workers directly impacts their ability to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care. By promoting the wellbeing of nurses, Saint Lucia not only enhances healthcare delivery but strengthens its national healthcare system overall.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs extends heartfelt appreciation to all nurses, both retired and currently in service, for their ongoing contribution to Saint Lucia’s health system. The observance of International Nurses Day 2025 reaffirms the Ministry’s dedication to not only celebrating but investing in its healthcare workforce.