"It is unacceptable that after eight years has passed on, the original 20 year target of 'Health For All' by the year 2000 and the 'attainment of an acceptable level of health for all the people in the world' has yet to be attained," remarked Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at the Primary Health Care Conference Gala Dinner organised by Nilai University College (Nilai UC).
Siti Hasmah was referring to The Alma-Ata Declaration adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care in Kazakhstan in 1978. It had identified Primary Health Care as the key to attaining 'Health for All' and set a 20-year target to attain the aforementioned 'acceptable level of health for all the people of the world'. That deadline has since passed and a new target of 2015 is in place. Furthermore, this year has been declared the 'Year of Global Public Health' and Nilai UC thought it imperative that as a leading private education institute offering Nursing programmes it should take a proactive role by organising a conference focusing on the challenges facing healthcare providers. The conference was titled 'Primary Health Care: Stepping Forward Together' focusing specifically on the role of nurses in primary health care.
The two day conference (16th and 17th Oct) featured a number of notable speakers such as Datuk Dr Raj Karim (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) and Dato’ Dr Narimah Awin (World Health Organisation). The keynote address was delivered by the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican. Merican noted the key role played by nurses in helping make Malaysia a shining example in the region with regards to healthcare. "Malaysian Nurses must be seen to be put in place the whole spectrum of nursing activities which invariably are the broader determinants of health. Activities such as client education, provision of quality care within financially acceptable reach, creation of a socially valuable environment and all of these with a gender equitable approach. The nurse is seen as the link between the community and the health care system, carrying out the activities which are firmly affirmed by the Nursing Code of Ethics – health promotion, disease prevention, wellness care, and disease management across the lifespan."
However, Merican was also quick to point out Malaysian healthcare providers must not rest on their laurels. "Nurses need to embrace continued learning, seek industrial support, coordinate with the entire health sector, and be familiar with aspects of public work related to primary care nursing," he added. One thing Merican along with all the speakers as well as the VIP guest of honour Siti Hasmah was in agreement on was that it was imperative that more institutions take up Nilai UC’s example in playing a active role in the promotion of primary health care. The conference attracted close to 300 delegates consisting mainly of senior nurses from all over Malaysia as well as from across the Causeway.
During the conference, many delegates took the opportunity to grill the speakers on various issues affecting their line of work. One of the speakers Dr J Ravichandran Jeganathan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologists Hospital Sultan Aminah Johor Bahru, had the delegate’s rapt attention with his witty anecdotes. He was asked how nurses could advise women on the use of contraceptive and to avoid unwanted pregnancies. He said nurses played a very important role and need to engage the men as well. As respected members of the community, there is a good chance that the men will listen to the nurse’s advise and understand the need for family planning. He also pointed out that nurses had an important role in recognising early symptoms as they are in constant contact with the patient. This includes identifying when a patient is depressed or needs bereavement counselling.
Overall, the conference was a success with many delegates congratulating organising chairperson Norashikin Cheong Abdullah (Head of Nilai UC’s Nursing Department) and requesting that more similar conferences be held. "Many delegates felt they had learned a lot from the various speakers and are encouraged to hear that the Ministry of Health is looking to give Nurses a vital role in Community Health programmes. With the success of this conference, Nilai UC will certainly look to organise even more conferences. Besides such conferences, Nilai UC will be offering a Nursing Degree in January 2009 which will help improve the relevant sectors of healthcare in the country by producing degree-holding nurses armed with an in-depth knowledge of providing patient care," she further noted.
Echoing the above sentiments, Siti Hasmah, who has long been involved in primary health care in Malaysia, said in her speech, "I am happy to see private Nursing Colleges that will produce nursing personnel with the appropriate knowledge and skills and empowered to brace the emerging demands and challenges of health care in this new millennium. With the fast growing private health sector industry and the country’s aspirations for Malaysia to be a health tourism destination, the demand for better qualified nurses needs to be met."
