The Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives distributed the fund among the families of nurses and midwives who became infected and succumbed to COVID-19 in the course of their professional duties. In the fund, almost 15 000 € was collected, and it was supported mainly by the nurses and midwives themselves from all over Slovakia. We also received public support, including a statement from the President of the Slovak Republic, Zuzana Čaputová. The money from the fund was handed over to the families of colleagues who were honored on 24 September with the exceptional Johanny Bórík – Hrebendová Award by the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives.
The heroic acts of nurses and midwives are often overlooked. These days we are witnessing how indispensable and necessary nurses and midwives are for the proper functioning of the health-care system, regardless of whether they perform their duties in outpatient clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, communities, or the armed forces. After the first tragic reports of the deaths of nurses and midwives from COVID-19, the Slovak Chamber of Nurses and Midwives decided to organize a fund to support families that lost their closest relatives. They gave themselves for public service; they sacrificed themselves in the fight against the pandemic.
That is why the Chamber decided to award, for the first time, the new Johanny Bórík – Hrebendová Prize to those nurses and midwives who, in the fight against COVID-19, lost the most precious thing, life. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken thousands of patients' lives. Yet our colleagues also lost the most precious. In trying to help others, they paid the highest price. In Slovakia, we know of 9 deaths among nurses and midwives, though there are certainly more. We must never forget these victims. We distributed the fund to the families of the in memoriam holders of the Johanny Bórík-Hrebendová Award: Monike Hurnej, Milade Koperovej, Janke Backovej, Jozefovi Horňákovi, Emílii Martikáňovej, Daniele Hlozákovej, Zuzane Ambrusovej, Anne Čenščákovej and Mrs. Margita Kostúrikovej.
We were all also expecting support for the families from the Slovak government. The first signs gave us hope that the families would receive such help from the government; however, even in such a tragic situation, families of healthcare workers received nothing. This is becoming the norm in our society. As one Slovak proverb says, “promises are promised and fools rejoice.” Nurses and midwives have been hearing promises for years about improvements in working conditions and better remuneration. Even though the collected amount is not large and in no way can replace the loss of a loved one, we firmly believe it will at least be a small help and support for all bereaved people.
That is why today, 14.12.2021, we thank the Members of Parliament of the National Council of the Slovak Republic for how they value us. We thank them also for you, because in our hearts you are heroes. We do not forget.
Source: Slovenská komora sestier a pôrodných asistentiek Slovenská komora sestier a pôrodných asistentiek (SK SaPA) is a self-governing professional organization with nationwide jurisdiction, headquartered in Bratislava, bringing together 38 000 nurses and midwives. The main task of SK SaPA is to advocate for the professional, economic and social interests of chamber members in healthcare, social, educational and other institutions.