PAKISTAN Madina Town’s gratitude to Christian nurses, often victims of abuse

The International Day dedicated to nurses was the opportunity to publicly recognize this valuable service. And also to draw attention to the violent attacks they have suffered in recent times due to their gender and beliefs. Sister Alvina, a Franciscan who has run the parish medical dispensary for 30 years, explained that “in hospitals, they are often discriminated against and discouraged by their superiors.”

Faisalabad () – On Sunday, May 12, International Nurses Day was celebrated in the parish church in the Madina Town neighborhood of Faisalabad. Father Khalid Rashid Asi blessed 16 nurses and 25 midwives and anointed their hands, the instrument with which they treat the sick. About sixty people attended the event, including parish health workers, students and mothers. Sister Alvina, a Franciscan and head nurse of the local church, who has served the community in her medical dispensary for thirty years, was the life of the day. The nun is in charge of a free service for the poor of the community that is supported by the Catholic diocese of Faisalabad, headed by Bishop Joseph Indrias Rehmat.

“I congratulate all the nurses in the world for the immense work they carry out – said Fr. Khalid Rashid Asi -. Like the Messiah, nurses serve people when they suffer and continued to do so even during the Covid pandemic when the entire world was confined to their homes. They live their lives like angels; They save people and bring them back to life. “I have always praised and admired the work they have carried out in the history of India and Pakistan.”

The celebration was also an opportunity to remember how many obstacles Christian nurses in Pakistan encounter when carrying out their service. “We have raised our voices for their rights and for them to receive fair wages – continued the parish priest – They are harassed in their workplace, they have to endure harsh words from families and the elderly, but they continue working to help us. The government should pay more attention to them.” Hostility and mistreatment that are a reflection of the climate of intolerance that reigns in the country towards Christian minorities, especially towards women.

Sister Alvina spoke, addressing the people participating in the celebration. “I encourage Christian nurses on this day, I know that they are less privileged and that they are often discouraged by their superiors in hospitals. We know well that a nurse makes more efforts than a doctor to save a life, builds a pure relationship with patients and takes care of them the best she can.” “I am very grateful to this parish for having organized such a beautiful event; they have poured out their love about nurses, which means that they recognize the important role they play in society,” added the nun. “All parishes should organize similar events.”

Nusrat Bibi, a nurse at the parish group, said she felt great joy and happiness. She confirmed that she and her colleagues are often discriminated against in their work because of her religion and do not receive fair wages, especially in private hospitals, even though they work harder than any other healthcare staff. . “I have worked as a nurse for 25 years but I have never been treated like this before. The priest has given us bouquets of flowers as a sign of love because he admires the service we provide and appreciates our work, she said. I assure you that I will continue to serve the people of God with true zeal, because we believe that He has assigned us this function and has placed us at the service of the people.”