INTERNATIONAL NURSING CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY Y.B. DATO’ SRI LIOW TIONG LAI
MINISTER OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

AT THE OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL NURSING CONFERENCE

PALACE OF THE GOLDEN HORSES, KUALA LUMPUR
12 OCTOBER 2009

Y.Bhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Hj. Mohd Ismail Merican,
Director-General of Health Malaysia.

Y.Bhg Puan Hjh Fathilah Hj Abd Wahab,
Director of Nursing Malaysia.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Selamat Pagi dan Salam Sejahtera and
a very good morning to all of you.

1.    First and foremost, I would like to thank the organizing committee for inviting me to officiate at this function today. It gives me great pleasure to see a large number of nurses, including our foreign guest speakers and participants, at this International Nursing Conference 2009 with the theme: “The Search for New Nursing Realities”. Let me congratulate the organising committee at the Nursing Division, under the leadership of Puan Hjh Fathilah Hj Abd Wahab, for having successfully organised this event.

2.    As you are aware from your own first-hand experience, nursing in the 21st century faces many challenges. The nurses’ tasks today have become much more challenging and demanding.

3.    With the increasing sophistication of modern-day Information & Communication Technology and the pervasiveness of the Internet, the demands for high standards and quality in healthcare by a well-informed clientele are inevitable. The emergence of new diseases like the latest Influenza A(HINI) pandemic, and the re-emergence of old diseases like tuberculosis, have also taken their tolls not only on the medical profession but also on the nurses.

4.    To cope effectively with these challenges, nurses need to stay current and well-informed on new nursing care techniques and methods. Nurses must constantly upgrade their knowledge and skills. It is also imperative that nurses carry out their tasks based on evidence-based techniques. Gone are the days when nursing practice can be based solely on the methods and techniques of yesteryears.

5.    Hence, it is very appropriate and timely that our Nursing Division has come out with the theme: “The Search for New Nursing Realities”, with various topics that will be discussed such as Nursing Research, Nursing Ethics, Evidence-based Practice and many others.

6.    Besides developing expertise in nursing practice, nurses are also required to excel in fields as diverse as nursing education; community health; primary health care; occupational health, mental health, gerontology and many other specialties. All this expertise should be complemented with a sound knowledge of law and ethics so that you will be able to conduct your nursing care services judiciously and effectively.

7.    In this regard, I understand that there will be a plenary session on the laws that affect nurses and the nursing profession, and the legal and ethical issues and challenges that will be faced by nurses at present and in the future. Nurses are subjected to a plethora of ethical, legal and professional duties which are too numerous for me to discuss here.

8.    The nursing profession, like its medical counterpart, is bound by its own code of ethics. The professional governing body has, for the most part, a more immediate influence over the conduct of its members than does the law. Nevertheless, it is of no less importance that you know the laws that are implicated in nursing.

9.    Values, theories, tradition, experience and best practice guidelines are also tools that nurses must use to assist them in delivering high quality care. In this regard, the Nursing Division has come out with 25 Nursing Practice Guidelines to ensure that nursing practice is carried out according to the accepted norms. Studies have shown that the use of such best practice guidelines can improve the care for clients, increase their symptom relief and reduce the length of their hospital stay.

Ladies and gentlemen,

10.    Nurses touch lives in many ways, and are highly respected and trusted by the public. However, along with the job title, come a number of stressors that make nursing one of the most challenging of fields. For example,
·    Nurses work long, physically, emotionally, and mentally demanding shifts   on their feet.
·    As a nurse, you must often deal with grief and loss, difficult patient and family contacts, patient resistance, and their non-adherence to prescribed therapies.
·    You must, at times, deal with large egos and disrespect from doctors, administrators, patients, patients’ families and colleagues, while maintaining your professionalism.
·    You will have to deal with many safety and health hazards, such as tainted blood and other bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and other potential biohazards.
·    Due to the perennial shortage of nurses and perhaps improper prioritization of work and time management, you may have an excessive workload, including a lot of tedious paperwork.

11.    However, in spite of all these challenges, it is my belief that being a member of the healthcare team is an opportunity for professionals like you to make a positive contribution towards the health and well being of society. In the old days, and hopefully even now, people clamoured to enter the nursing profession because this is one area where there are plenty of opportunities to conduct meritorious acts and gain merits for one’s spiritual development. Thus, I have every confidence that all of you will conduct your nursing care with love and diligence, because the care and love that you give out will surely come back to reward you in many different ways.

12.    Once again, let me commend Matron Hjh. Fathilah binti Hj. Abdul Wahab and her team for successfully organising this conference. To our foreign guests and participants, please do spend some time after your conference to visit the numerous scenic spots and shopping malls in this country, and taste our local delicacies. See for yourself why “Malaysia is Truly Asia.” I do hope that you will enjoy your stay in Malaysia.

13.    On that note, ladies and gentlemen, I wish all of you two days of happy and meaningful discussion on the new nursing realities. I hereby officially declare open your International Nursing Conference 2009, with the theme: “The Search for New Nursing Realities.” Thank you.