AYNLA, other nursing groups' Official Statement on Mrs. HanepBuhay

The Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates International, Inc. (AYNLA), a dynamic youth-led nursing organization, through its Board of Trustees has released today, March 4 its Official Statement regarding Mrs. Cynthia Villar's derogatory remarks on GMA NewsTV's "Pagsubok ng mga Kandidato"

In its three (3) years of existence, AYNLA has been in the limelight of constantly advocating for nurses' rights and welfare.

Here is AYNLA's Official Statement as posted on the its website:

AYNLA in its Official Statement has expressed that,

"The Alliance believes that nurses are essential part of health human resource not only in areas of clinical expertise but also in community development, policy-making and nation building. It is evident, though, that regardless of the setting, nurses will always work with people’s lives. This is why the Alliance believes that, contrary to Mrs. Villar’s statement, nurses do need to be competent, safe, and efficient in their practice. Mediocrity in the nursing profession must not be condoned. The statement the congresswoman made seems to be a blatant disregard to the need of proper education and emphasis on competency. This has offended the nursing community gravely."

Aside from AYNLA, other nursing organizations and interest groups have already released their positions regarding the issue. Among them are The Philippine Nurses Association of United Kingdom (PNA UK), Ang Nars and The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA).

Truly, this online rave of the nursing sector is a testament that we, as nurses, will never allow anyone to belittle our competencies and degrade our capabilities. 

Nr. Alvin Dakis, AYNLA President and CEO, on his blog stated last Saturday that,

"No nurse should allow this kind of thinking and impression towards any of our colleagues. Our lives are at stake serving people and caring for them - to the point we even forget to take care of our own. We live for others and take care of them like our own son, daughter, mother, father and relative - and this is what we get in return. Do not allow this, stand and be heard. Tell them we are not second class citizens, tell them that we are the heart of Philippine healthcare and tell them that whatever happens to them - they will fall in our hands and their lives is in ours."

After all, Filipino nurses would not be acclaimed as world-class professionals and sought after for nothing.