KOTA KINABALU: Nurses should continue to upgrade their skills through life-long learning to better serve the people, Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said today.
She said that to date, only five per cent of Sabah’s 7,124 nurses have degrees.
“Annually, an average of 35 nurses apply to further their studies.
"There are about 7,000 nurses here – and with an average of 30 applications a year, it is difficult to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said, adding that only half of the state’s nurses have post-basic qualifications.
She was speaking during the launch of Nurses’ Day and a two-day seminar at the federal government administrative complex here.
Dr Christina revealed that the Sustainable Development Goals is the theme for this year’s Nurses’ Day, titled “Nurse: A voice to lead, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’.
Sustainable Development Goals is a new transformation agenda adopted by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.
She added that nurses with degrees or additional skills would have better work performance and prospects, as compared to those who choose to stay comfortable with their existing experience and knowledge.