Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Manneken Pis, the most famous statue in Brussels, Belgium, got a new outfit on Saturday. He wore a nursing uniform in honor of the work of Belgian nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new Manneken Bes uniform is an initiative of the General Confederation of Belgian Nurses (AUVB), which is working to re-evaluate the nursing profession. The federation also celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
The organization toured Belgium in a van for a month to thank nurses for their efforts in Belgian hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour concluded on Saturday in the Mont des Arts, Brussels
The Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Clos, was present at the unveiling of the statue in its new uniform. "It is important for us to support the profession and training. It is a necessary profession for our city and country and especially for health policy," said Close.
On this occasion, the Belgian Healthcare Confederation highlighted the importance of re-evaluating the healthcare profession. “There is an urgent need for change in the healthcare sector,” he said, referring to Belgian hospitals that are suffering from severe staff shortages.
Through a series of proposals, the AUVB hopes to get a message across to Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke. Among other things, the federation calls for reducing the workload, further developing the competencies and expertise of nurses, and promoting healthcare education. “A good work-life balance and improved health and well-being at work are also important,” says the AUVB.