By Anne Das
Few professions carry the same weight of trust, skill and sacrifice as nursing. In hospitals, clinics and emergency rooms, nurses stand closest to patients and families through some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
That sense of service was honoured at Hospital Fatimah School of Nursing on 16 May 2026, when the college marked International Nurses Day with its largest and most vibrant celebration to date.
The event brought together student nurses, faculty members, board representatives and YB Howard Lee, MP for Ipoh Timur, in a tribute to a profession that continues to play a vital role in public health and community care.
The celebration opened on a festive note with a lion dance performance. Cultural dances by the student nurses followed, giving the morning a warm and inclusive start before the official launch.
YB Howard Lee officiated the event with a ribbon cutting ceremony, joined by Hospital Fatimah School of Nursing board members Sister Ter Lei and Mr Lee Chuen Loong.
While the day carried the spirit of celebration, it also offered a closerl look at how future nurses are being trained. Exhibition booths prepared by the students covered various health care themes, giving them the chance to present knowledge beyond the classroom.
The booths allowed visitors to see how nursing education combines clinical understanding, public health awareness and communication. YB Howard spent time speaking with the students, listening to their explanations and joining some of the activities prepared for guests.
The visit also included a tour of the school’s academic facilities, offering a closer view of the learning environment that shapes future members of the profession.
YB Howard later addressed the students with an encouraging message about the importance of their chosen profession. He shared that meeting a delegate from the International Council of Nurses at a recent United Nations event had deepened his appreciation of nursing as a noble and courageous career.
He also said nurses would remain essential to the future of health care, especially as medical needs become increasingly complex over the next three decades and beyond.
The event also featured student performances, including dance routines, a creative sketch and a choir presentation, giving the students room to share their talents and flex their creativity outside the clinical setting.
A key moment was the presentation of the Outstanding Exhibition Booth Award, which went to Group AN October 2024 for their presentation on “Prevention of Dengue.” The topic was especially relevant to the community, as dengue awareness remains an important part of public health in Ipoh.
The event ended with light refreshments and informal conversations among guests, faculty members and students.
“As we look to the future of healthcare, the passion, innovation and dedication shown by our students today reassure us that the noble legacy of Florence Nightingale is in very capable hands,” said Mr Lee Chuen Loong.
