http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article41168.ece
Half of Saudi women nurses quit, says health care advocate By WALAA HAWARI | ARAB NEWS Published: Apr 10, 2010 03:02 Updated: Apr 10, 2010 03:02 RIYADH: Half of Saudi women who enter the nursing profession quit their jobs, according to Sabah Abo-Zanada, director of the Scientific Society for Nursing under the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Speaking at a National Dialogue event (a regular town-hall style meeting that occurs in various parts of the Kingdom to promote public dialogue on various important issues) in Najran that is currently taking place, Abo-Zanada called for a national council on nursing to promote the profession. Abo-Zanada said there are two major reasons why Saudi women quit the profession. The first reason is misunderstanding of what the job entails. The second reason is the social stigma and lack of familial support Saudi women get when they decide to enter the field. "Both reasons make quitting the job a fast decision," said Abo-Zanada, who pointed out that the nursing sector in Saudi Arabia, which is dominated by foreign workers, comprises half of the health-care work force. Furthermore, she added, approximately 80 percent of the contact patients have with health care professionals is with nursing professionals. Abo-Zanada also underscored the importance of placing a high social value on nursing staff - as well as providing quality human resource training - in order to reduce the number of incidences of medical malpractice. "Developing programs will limit mistakes and/or prevent them from happening at all," she said. a.. Comments Post a comment Read all comments (14) Comments a.. 14 Comments b.. Post your comment c.. Read all DR MUHAMMAD SHARUKH UMAR Apr 10, 2010 10:20 Report abuse i am doctor working in saudi arabia i find the saudi women nurses competent challenging and regular in there work, i feel pity that the society should change there behaviour towards nursing care professionals and boost there morale and support in all aspect for the better future, the nurses need to learn basic english and remove the fear of medical malpractise i wish the saudi women nurses all the best Faisal Saleem Apr 10, 2010 10:22 Report abuse Isn't nursing just another name for 'medical maids'? I say Saudi women should not be allowed to work as nurses! It's derogatory and humiliating! Come on Saudi academics, feminists and scholars, you need to standup for Saudi women and their honour! tauseef Apr 10, 2010 14:46 Report abuse I find Faisal's comment simply ridiculous. He is trying to degrade such a noble, caring and loving profession. I can only have pity on his limited understanding about life. Mussokhattak Apr 10, 2010 14:46 Report abuse @ Faisal - Boy you really need to study ISLAM throughly. ALL MUSLIMS ARE EQUAL. Just one question, on the Day of Judgement, do you think all Saudi women & men will be under the shade or be exempted from questions ? How pathetic you are. Racist ! What you have said is DEROGRATED & Humilating to MUSLIM Ummah ! qatwa Apr 10, 2010 17:59 Report abuse What is wrong if Saudi Woman work as a Nurse??? What is wrong with this Society?? Saudis have really to change their mind, it is time!! Come up from the high Horse!!! because if you fall down you will hurt you badly!!! Saudi woman are not better like other woman from other countries!!! Always l read Saudi women want to work, need work, but then l Read no work as a maid. now no work as a nurse.! Dear Faisal tell me u want all Saudis woman work as a professor?? @ Faisal you should change you mind and think before you give comment like that. nothing bad to work as a nurse.!!! Saudi woman are same like other woman in this world no better no less!!! I just imagine all foreign nurses quiet their job, all will broke down in Saudi, same with any other job Saudis are not willing to do, because they think they are better human!! Shame on you who think so!! And yes DR Muhammad you are absolutely so RIGHT !! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
