 International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12th every year around the world. This year's theme is nurses, a voice to lead, invest in nursing and respect the rights to secure global health. The four policy focus areas of the strategic development for nursing and midwifery include education, jobs, leadership and service delivery. St. Lucian nurses have provided sterling service to our country. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to test the resolve of our nurses and they have performed admirably and with tenacity. We have a shortage of nurses in St. Lucia and in the region, our highly qualified nurses are in great demand overseas and we will work with our nurses to encourage them to remain in St. Lucia. We will also take appropriate actions which will hopefully entice more St. Lucians to choose nursing as a profession. Investment in nursing, therefore, is a critical priority in our healthcare reform agenda. On behalf of the Government of St. Lucia, I wish all nurses a happy International Nurses Day. May the Holy Spirit bless you, may the Holy Spirit keep you always. Thank you nurses for your sterling service.