A short historical video on Facebook captured my attention last week. The 24-second video, posted by Hugot Adventure TV, recounted the beginnings of Nursing education in the Philippines – at my college alma mater, Central Philippine University in Iloilo City.
The video was reposted by someone apparently to reinforce context to the May 12 International Nursing Day celebration and also the aligned Philippines Nurses Week observance (May 6-12).
This year, the Philippines Nurses Association has chosen “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Buses Save Lives” as the theme of the week-long celebration. The focus highlights “the critical role nurses play in strengthening the health care system and patient safety.”
The May 12 celebration marks the 226th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
The video is a reminder of the role Western Visayas played in the foundation and development of nursing education in the country, which eventually produced about 300,000 Filipino nurses actively serving in over 50 countries today. The number represents about 25 percent of foreign-educated nurses, making the Philippines the largest exporter of this type of professionals.
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The first and oldest nursing school in the country, the Union Mission Hospital Training School for Nurses, was started in 1906 – or 120 years ago.
Founded by Baptist and Presbyterian missionaries, it produced its first graduates in 1909. It is now known as the CPU College of Nursing. The Union, started as a bamboo clinic for the poor, is now known as the Iloilo Mission Hospital. Operating as the CPU hospital, IMH also serves as the base facility for the university’s Medicine, Medical Lab Science and Pharmacy programs.
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I recall experiencing first-hand the caring and compassionate brand CPU nurses have been long known for when I was confined at IMH for four days in my freshman year. The cheerfulness and pleasant disposition of student nurses particularly helped in easing a patient’s discomfort.
The compassion and care of Filipino nurses have continued to spread worldwide. Today, we see video clips posted on social media showing the positive contributions of Filipino nurses wherever they are – in hospitals, clinics, homes and elsewhere across continents.
One tribute even shows the gratefulness of families of patients who acknowledge that often, the last gentle voice and reassuring touch are extended to their loved ones who are slipping into eternity by a compassionate Filipino nurse.
To nurses in the country and abroad, our salute and thanks.
Happy Nurses Day!
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Our family recalls with love and fondness our brother, Lutther, who passed away in February last year. He would have turned 76 on May 10. We miss you, Bro!
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Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 1:2) | NWI
