JK News Today
Udhampur, May 12:
On the occasion of International Nurses Day, Lt Gen Y K Joshi, Army Commander, Headquarters Northern Command appreciated the Military Nursing Service (MNS) officers of Northern Command for their relentless service rendered during Covid-19 pandemic. He recognized the remarkable contribution made by all ranks of the MNS for the stellar role in the fight against the pandemic. 12th May is the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale & is celebrated as International Nurses Day to mark the contribution made by nurses to the society, be it in community or health care set up.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the vital role played by nurses in health care system. They have been at the forefront in the battle against pandemic making remarkable contributions. From administering vaccines to nursing the patients in ICUs, they have been the real force taking risks against infections. Often, their role and heroic deeds go unsung. The unparalleled challenges of donning the PPE on 24×7 basis, leaving their families behind to fend for themselves and risking their as well as dependents life need to be acknowledged and appreciated.
Military Nursing Service (MNS) officers operating in various hospitals of Northern Command) are the frontline workers of the hospitals and are responsible to cater for holistic care to Serving personnel, Ex-servicemen, their dependents and the civilians in this Covid scenario. Considering the fact that they constitute the majority of healthcare providers at military medical facilities, they have been performing yeoman’s services in treating patients with Covid-19. They have been providing critical care to patients on life support in Covid ICU and Acute Covid Wards. While performing their duties, they have shown tremendous sense of safety, ensuring that they do not get infected themselves. Moreover they have also been training the combatants and paramedical staff to handle the Covid-19 patients, giving specific enhancement in regard to Donning, Doffing, Sample Collection, Decontamination and handling of Covid mortal remains. Other than Covid cases, the nursing officers are also catering for the patients in ICU and acute wards. They have manned the Covid vaccination centers successfully.
Their services are not restricted to within Northern Theatre, a batch of 10 MNS officers from Command Hospital, Northern Command have also been deployed at the Covid Care Hospital, Varanasi under “COVID PANDEMIC CRISIS – ARMED FORCES SUPPORT TO CIVILIANS” on 11 May 2021.
