Turki Al-Dakheel

Riyadh newspaper



I would like, at the outset, to state that nursing is a noble profession. Societies that respect this profession have already dealt with the social complications and traditional notions that were working against the nursing profession. Men and women, working in this profession, are providing a humanitarian service and conduct themselves ethically.



Patients trust doctors and nurses with their lives. This is a major responsibility that comes with this profession. Female companions during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) nursed the injured and the sick during battles. We are no better than them and we should not look down on this profession.



As I am writing this article, I am witnessing a group of female nurses insisting on suing all those who defame them. A Saudi female doctor said that there is a movement by female doctors and nurses and even businessmen from outside the health sector to take a man to court because of his tweets. The man is using Twitter to slander nurses and their profession.



In almost every Saudi family, a female member is employed in the health sector. They are doing a noble job and providing great services to society.



I am not going to mention what this Saudi man said on Twitter out of respect for the readers. But what is comforting is that there was an immediate campaign on Twitter that came out in support of Saudi female nurses, and against any defamation of the profession, which is linked to human lives.



To attack Saudi women working in this profession means opening the door for female nurses from outside the country, thereby keeping these jobs outside the Saudi purview. Not only will it affect Saudization but it will also hamper Saudi investments in the health sector.



I hope people viewing this profession from a narrow angle would keep their views to themselves. I am also hopeful that people will view the nursing profession for the noble service it offers and the humanitarian need it fulfills in society and stop slandering Saudi women working as nurses. For my part, I salute the Saudi nurses.