Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses celebrates 20th anniversary.jpg

Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses celebrates 20th anniversary

Source: The Malta Independent 12 September 2016

On Monday 19 September, the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. This is a significant milestone, the union said in a statement today. 

Twenty years ago, a small group of very special and formidable colleagues founded what became one of the leading unions in Malta. In 1996, it was decided that the then called the Malta Union of Midwives (MUM) (which was founded in the 1990), can broaden its base by opening its membership to nurses. A series of consultation meetings were carried out with nurses to explore avenues to find nurses with the right attributes, capable and highly motivated to build further on the MUM’s achievement. On 19 September 1996 an Extraordinary General Meeting was held and a motion to amend the MUM’s statute in order to be able to open up its doors to welcome nurses was unanimously approved. The MUM became the MUMN.

From its inception the MUMN was a leader and managed to lobby as a major stakeholder to improve both the professional status of its members and also the provision of health care in Malta. Its work continued when in 2014, the MUMN’s statute was amended to broaden the membership to other health care professionals. Now 20 years old, the MUMN is representing 5 health care professions; with all members of the MUMN having equal rights and responsibilities; giving a voice to the health care workforce and influencing policy, education and practice across the Maltese islands and abroad, the union said.

It’s impossible to separate the history of the MUMN from the achievements and the professional progress gained throughout these 20 years, it added. The contributions of all involved who worked diligently to achieve the mission of the organization cannot be underestimated - from membership to affiliates; from committees to programs; from finances to agreements; from publications and continuous professional development to good governance, from industrial relations to social aspect - behind the scenes these folks were the hands, heads, and hearts of the MUMN. Also discussed in the history of the MUMN is the journal “Il-Musbieh” and its growth and prosperity are interrelated with the MUMN's mission and vision.

Through this journal evidence based practice is continuously advocated, while at the same time members are kept abreast of what is happening within the organisation. Another achievement is the excellent setup of the Florence Nightingale Benevolent Fund (FNBF).  In March of 2002 a new Group committee was set up to monitor and administer a fund; the FNBF; with its main aim being to assist members while they are in distress due to medical reasons.

This 20th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity not just to showcase the history of the MUMN and achievements of the professions it represents but to celebrate the wonderful work that goes on up and down the country every day. As the organisation will be celebrating the 20th anniversary, it is likewise looking forward to what will be coming in the next 20 years and thus consider how this union can influence and disseminate evidence based practice in all areas of health care. To that end and while moving forward, the MUMN council is sure that with the support and contribution of all of the members, the union can positively and excitingly face the future; while at the same time the patients remain central to the care.

Throughout this week, the events below will be celebrated to mark the occasion:

Programme:

13th September 2016 ~ Thanks Giving Mass ~ Divine Mercy Church, Naxxar

14th September 2016 ~ Outing for Children Residing in an Orphanage

15th September 2016 ~ Blood Donation Day and Memento Presentation to Retired Members

16th September 2016 ~ Gala Night Reception ~ Verdala Palace, Buskett

17th September 2016 ~ Visit to MUMN members recovering in Health Institutions.

19th September 2016 ~ Unveiling of Monument – San Anton Gardens