The expertise and leadership of healthcare professionals were highlighted by the Minister of Health as Bermuda marked International Nurses Day yesterday.

Kim Wilson underscored the importance of supporting nurses and pledged her ministry’s commitment to doing so during a gathering at City Hall.

Healthcare workers and officials came together under the observance’s theme of “Nurses: A Voice to Lead. Empowered Nurses Save Lives”.

Ms Wilson said: “Our nurses are the backbone of Bermuda’s healthcare system.

“Their expertise, compassion and leadership touch every part of our community.

“Today we honour not only the work they do, but the strength and resilience they show every day.

“When we empower nurses, we strengthen our entire health system.”

International Nurses Day is celebrated on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer considered to be the mother of modern nursing.

The meeting featured comments from Michael Branco, the Mayor of Hamilton, Laura-Lynn Jackson, the Chief Nursing Officer, and nursing leaders from the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Bermuda College and the Bermuda Nurses Association.

As the ceremony concluded Nurses Week, which started on May 6, speakers called on attendees to continue investing in nurses.