By: Mugenzi Napoleon
Kigali has become a hub for professional exchange among healthcare workers as nurses and midwives from across the world gather to discuss ways of improving healthcare delivery. The meeting highlights the importance of professional commitment, mentorship, and compassion in strengthening patient-centered services.
On Wednesday, December 11, an international conference bringing together nurses and midwives from various parts of the world took place in the City of Kigali. The conference aims to promote knowledge sharing, professional development, and strategies for improving service delivery within the nursing and midwifery professions.
Veteran nurses and midwives used the platform to encourage younger professionals to embrace their careers with passion, emphasizing that love for the profession is the foundation of quality healthcare service.
Speaking to the media, Murekezi Josephine, a seasoned midwife with many years of experience, said that those who join the profession out of passion are more likely to make a meaningful impact.
She noted, “My advice to young professionals is to enter this field with genuine love. Many of us have remained in this profession for years because we started with passion.”
She added that although nursing and midwifery are demanding professions, they require patience, empathy, and dedication to patient care.
“This work is physically and emotionally challenging because we constantly care for patients, communicate with them kindly, and ensure they receive quality services. Such commitment is only possible when healthcare workers are truly devoted to their patients,” she explained.
On the other hand, young nurses and midwives acknowledged that learning from experienced professionals helps them improve their skills and daily performance.
One of the participants, Izabayo Diane, said that mentorship plays a key role in delivering better services.
“When we perform our duties diligently, learn from experienced colleagues, and follow the guidance they give us, we are able to provide higher-quality services,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gitembagara André Umuyonizi, the Chief of Nurses and Midwives in Rwanda, emphasized that passion remains the cornerstone of professionalism in healthcare.
“To excel in your work, you must first love what you do. When you go to treat a patient, you are handling life itself, and that responsibility requires you to do everything possible to give patients hope,” he stated.
He further urged nurses and midwives to continue offering their full support to patients, regardless of the challenges they may face in their daily work.
This marks the first edition of the international conference, which brought together approximately 450 nurses and midwives from different African countries and other parts of the world. Organizers announced that the conference is expected to become an annual event.
