KUCHING: Supporting nurses is vital to building a stronger healthcare system, ensuring patient safety and fostering resilient communities.
Speaking to more than 220 healthcare professionals at the 17th Normah Annual Nursing Conference (ANC) here on Saturday, Normah Medical Specialist Centre (NMSC) Nursing Deputy Director, Norashidah Md Rabu, emphasised that nurses – the largest group in the healthcare workforce – play an indispensable role not only in hospitals but also in sustaining families and societies.
She also stressed that nurses’ welfare directly influences patient safety, service quality, and community health outcomes.
“When we invest in nurses’ wellbeing, we invest in better care for patients and stronger communities.
“Despite daily pressures, nurses continue to serve with resilience and compassion,” she said in her keynote address on behalf of the Nursing Director, Nadzrah Basri.
This year’s conference which carried the theme ‘Nurses Are the Key to Our Future: Supporting Their Wellbeing Boosts Economic Strength’ also featured plenary and concurrent sessions on antimicrobial resistance, patient safety, service excellence, preventive healthcare and mental health support.
The programme also included specialised tracks on renal and gastroenterology nursing, as well as sessions addressing workplace mental health.
Nursing students, including those from Indonesia, presented posters as part of their academic assignments.
Norashidah said that the initiative bridged classroom learning with clinical practice and nurtured the next generation of nursing leaders.
She also paid tribute to senior nurses for their mentorship and encouraged younger colleagues to face professional challenges with passion and dedication to patient safety.
Now in its 17th year, the ANC has grown in reputation as a platform for collaboration, evidence-based practice and professional development.
Among those present were NMSC’s Chief Operating Officer, Vesmawati Jaafar; Chief Finance Officer, Agnes Tan; Corporate Affairs and Business Development deputy head, Bidari Suhaili; Human Resources head, Siti Rahimah Abdul Rahman; and support service administrator, Susana Wee.
