Leader voices gratitude towards nurses for sacrifices during pandemic

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has expressed his gratitude towards the country’s nursing staff for their enormous sacrifices during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Press TV, the Leader made the remarks in a live televised address on Sunday on the occasion of the National Nurses Day that falls on the birth anniversary of Hazrat Zeynab (PBUH), granddaughter of Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

Ayatollah Khamenei felicitated nurses on the occasion, while also condoling with the nursing community, many of whom have lost their lives on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19.

“Today, nurses are dearer and more honorable in the eyes of the nation than ever before,” the Leader noted.

“Nurses are the angels of mercy for patients. This is a true definition, not an exaggeration by any means,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader said that as part of their profession, nurses tend to both the patient's body and soul, which is a remarkable role.

Ayatollah Khamenei considered such endeavor towards the alleviation of a human being’s pain as “one of the most beautiful spectacles in life.”

The nurses have been consistently present at hospitals and medical centers during the year-long outbreak, putting their own lives at risk, the Leader remarked. “To be fair, our nursing community performed a great task during this period.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 outbreak, people would not attach as much importance to the nursing profession as they do now. “However, this is not enough,” the Leader said, advising the authorities to revisit the significance they ascribe to the venerable profession.

The virus that swept the country soon after its emergence in central China, has so far infected more than 1.1 million people, including 53,448 who have lost their lives.

The sheer extent of the outbreak has overstretched Iran’s medical staff.

The already uphill battle has been compounded by sweeping sanctions imposed by the United States, which prevent entry of much-needed medicines and other medical items into the country.

However, Iran has successfully mobilized all of its resources -- including assistance from the military and security sector – and has managed to reign in the viral outbreak to a reasonable extent.

The national anti-virus drive has included effective implementation of health protocols throughout the nation.

ME