Nurses, Our Catalysts, Our Unsung Heroes, Backbone of Healthcare System

This year 2025’s theme for Nurses Day is “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens the Economy,” and the theme echoes nurses’ role which extends beyond being 'patient caregivers' in hospitals, clinics and health centres. Nurses are also catalysts for community well-being, health educators, and frontline workers in managing health crises.

In a speech at the state-level 2025 Nurses' Day celebrations and blood donation event on 13 May 2025, at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that the quality of the healthcare system relies on the quality of the nursing workforce, and investment in training, welfare, and career development for them.

“The State Government appreciates and supports nurses serving in Sabah who sacrifice their time and energy for the health of the people. I hope all nurses will continue to strive to improve the quality of healthcare services, particularly in Sabah,” Hajiji said.

“The Nurses' Day celebration is not only a symbolic event but a significant recognition of the group that serves as the backbone of the nation's healthcare system.” The Chief Minister recalled the extraordinary role of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, not only in terms of treatment and monitoring but also in providing emotional and moral support to patients and their families. "Nurses had to be separated from their families, spouses, and children in order to fulfil their responsibilities during Covid 2020,” Hajiji said.

"They are our unsung heroes who remain strong, resilient and steadfast working under challenging situations, in wards, emergency units, rural health clinics, and disaster areas.” The CM also emphasises the importance of donating blood, saying that he wants more programmes to be implemented to raise awareness on volunteerism. “The daily blood requirement for Sabah is 300 units and each year, we need 120,000 units to meet patients’ needs. We only manage 75,000 units each year,” Hajiji added. “Voluntary blood donation helps save patients' lives.” Hajiji said that the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the public sector can raise awareness on blood donation and to educate the public to become regular donors.

Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Works, delivered Hajiji’s speech.