International Nurses Day: 1,600 UAE nurses set two Guinness World Records in Abu Dhabi

Celebrating International Nurses Day on May 12, 1,600 nurses from UAE-based VPS Healthcare set two Guinness World Records today.

At Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City, the group’s nurses from across the country achieved the titles of ‘the largest gathering of people dressed as nurses’ and ‘the most number of people reciting an oath simultaneously’.

“The first one is an existing record with a minimum number of 691 nurses. The second one is a new record with a minimum requirement of 250 people. Today you have achieved a total of 1,600 people. Congratulations, you are officially amazing,” Kanzy El Defrawy, an official adjudicator at Guinness World Records announced.

Once all the nurses gathered, they held a minute’s silence paying tribute to Lezly Orine Ocampo, a frontline nurse, who passed away in line of duty during the pandemic.

Also, all 1,600 nurses took the Florence Nightingale Pledge to uphold the ideals of the nursing profession thereby achieving the second record of the day for the most number of people taking an oath simultaneously.

Rani Elsa Oommen, chief nursing officer, VPS Healthcare, who received the certificate on behalf of nurses, said it has been one of the most memorable Nurses Day celebrations.

“In my 22-year-long career, I have come across quite a few events for nurses but never one like this. It feels great that our organisation thought of extending this special gesture to us on an important occasion like International Nurses Day. I will cherish this memory of all of us coming together in unity.”

Kevi Bayan, an in-patient nurse at Burjeel Medical City, added: “The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us. It has been a joyful reunion to meet our coworkers and fellow nurses in this setting. It was a special feeling to take the Florence Nightingale Pledge that upholds the ideals of our profession. I am proud to be a part of this world record bid.”