President Tsai Ing-wen (front center) joins nurses and other officials in celebrating International Nurses Day May 12 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City. (Courtesy of PO)

President Tsai Ing-wen praised the country’s front-line health care workers including nurses May 12 for their leading roles during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Taiwan recording low infection rates and positive treatment outcomes.
 
Many nurses have worked extra hours or given up their holidays to care for patients during the outbreak, she said, adding that their selfless contributions have earned the heartfelt appreciation of the government and people.
 
Tsai made the remarks while receiving a delegation of nurses at the Presidential Office in Taipei City to celebrate International Nurses Day.
 
According to Tsai, 80 percent of quarantine inspectors at the country’s air and sea ports are nurses, with their tireless work playing a central role in limiting the spread of coronavirus in Taiwan. To reward such efforts, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced earlier this month that hospital personnel who attend confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 will be paid an additional NT$10,000 (US$334) per shift, she said.
 
The MOHW recruited two senior nurses in 2019 as the vice superintendents of Taipei Hospital and Taichung Hospital, Tsai added, demonstrating the government’s commitment to giving nurses a voice in hospital administration.
 
To celebrate the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the government will also sponsor Taiwan Nurses Association to organize the inaugural Taiwan International Nursing Conference, scheduled for September in Taipei, Tsai said.
 
The event spotlights the importance the government attaches to the country’s nursing staff, Tsai said, adding her administration will continue to adopt relevant measures in support of the profession going forward. (SFC-E)