Daystar University Vice Chancellor Professor Laban Ayiro has hailed the Kenyan nursing community in the United States for how they have maintained high standards of care in a “foreign land”.
Delivering his keynote remarks during the second day of the Kenyan Nurses Association of America (KNAA) conference, Prof. Ayiro said it was time for strategic collaboration and experience sharing to strengthen academic training for providers in Kenya.
“We see ourselves growing together to build stronger institutions for healthcare professional career advancement,” said Prof. Ayiro, urging the nurses to consider taking up time to study or join faculty at Daystar University.
“We have about 44 members of faculty at the school of health sciences and there are opportunities for you to become a part of it because you have what it takes.”
Professional and career networks
He emphasized the critical role US-based healthcare providers can play in helping shape policy and human resource capacity development in Kenya through their professional experience and career networks.
“We can also do something. We can be stewards of God’s resources. “Fundraising must combine ownership at home and partnerships abroad.”
Earlier on Fridya, Dr. Sam Gichuki made a presentation about “building proactive safety in healthcare” under the broad theme of compliance and culture.
“Compliance requires you to do the bare minimum standard to stay in business but culture is about understanding why things have to happen the way they do,” Dr. Gichuki said.
“Being intentional about building a culture where you establish a deliberate design of going above and beyond.”
Other issues to feature on the second day of the conference include focus on policy advocacy, welfare of nurses and their wellbeing and supporting nursing workforce development, among other topics.
“It is a packed day of learning and knowledge but the most exciting session we are all looking forward to is the men’s panel later in the afternoon because men are showing up in a way we have not seen before,” said KNAA Events Coordinator Dr. Gladys Gichomo.
The three-day conference, which started on Thursday with a keynote address by former Chief Justice David Maraga, will climax with a black-tie gala dinner on Saturday. During the gala, KNAA will fete new nursing graduates and reward other members who have demonstrated distinguished service to the profession.
“Other than the red carpet and dance, the highlight of the day will be the awards,” avers KNAA President Dr. Jelia Akombe.
