Presidential couple welcomed the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives delegation

On the occasion of the International Nurses' Day the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives annualy organizes a nationwide gala seminar, that is connected with the prestigious award White Heart for nurses and midwives, who significantly contributed to the development of nursing and midwifery in Slovakia. It is a tradition that the festive seminar is held under the auspices of Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová, the spouse of the President of the Slovak Republic.

In his speech Mr. President stated that the profession of nurses and midwives has its own specifics. As he said, everybody of us during his life meets the work of nurses and midwives. Ivan Gašparovič believes that we thank doctors and appreciate their work, but very often a nurse has a large share in the work of a doctor. "If a person is not physically healthy, he cannot bring good performance; if a person is not healthy mentally so there are not even good interpersonal relationships. And for this you have to care too," he said in his speech.

In a short speech also the First Lady of Slovakia Silvia Gašparovičová thanked for the dedicated work of nurses and midwives. "I wish you much force in your work for all of us," said the First Lady.

President of the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives Iveta Lazorová thanked for the warm welcoming and noted that the present candidates for the award White Heart this memorable day will be a great experience. She stressed that the awarded nurses and midwives are "people who can not only perform their duties responsibly, with love and respect for the man, but also they are people who often work beyond their duties."

The International Nurses´ Day is celebrated annually on 12 May as a reminder of the birth day of the modern nursing founder – of Mrs. Florence Nightingale. On this special day the whole world recalls the importance of the nurses´ mission and their importance to society. The International Council of Nurses is celebrating this day since 1965.