Investing in health workers for a resilient future
Every year, the week of 1-7 April is recognised internationally as World Health Worker Week. This year, the week is celebrated under the theme, ‘Safe and Supported: Investing in Health Workers for a Resilient Future'.
This means that friends and supporters of health workers should make a commitment to protect and support health workers.
The week is observed and celebrated with the purpose of continuing to raise awareness about the importance of health workers while also appreciating the role that health workers play in the lives and livelihoods of millions of individuals in and around the world.
There are so many untold success stories about health workers and their tales of resilience, sacrifices and unwavering dedication to the call of duty.
The health care worker faces their struggles and challenges; they carry their burdens, which they keep hidden from their colleagues and clients, and it is exactly these untold stories that highlight their humanity and resilience because they have dedicated their lives to caring for others.
And while the world sleeps, a health worker with tireless footsteps stands guard, offering solace to those who suffer in the silence of the long nights.
A health worker's story is indeed one of empowerment – to enable individuals, families and communities to take control of their health.
I, for one, believe, support and acknowledge a healthcare worker who is well trained, well supported, working within a functional healthcare system – and, more importantly, well compensated for the unique and profound impact of their services.
A well-trained health worker is a person who is not just skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise but who is compassionate and renders individualised and respectful care while upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
A well-supported health worker is someone who has the needed resources, supportive systems and an organisational culture that is vital to enabling them to exceptionally thrive in their roles while delivering remarkable and deserving care to patients from all walks of life.
A functional healthcare system should be one that considers collaborative efforts to provide accessible, quality, safe and respectful healthcare services that meet the diverse needs of individuals, families and communities, while ensuring effectiveness, efficiency and, more importantly, equity.
A well-compensated health worker is the one who is receiving adequate compensation and recognition for their unique expertise and specialised skills, while at the same time being acknowledged for the immense responsibility and all demands placed on them, including every contribution to patient care and patient outcomes.
With the current myriad of challenges caused by climate change, such as the rise in temperatures, health workers find themselves on the front lines of confronting the intense impacts of climate change on public health.
In addition, the dwindling rainfalls leading to water scarcity and affecting the quantity of available water for hygiene, drinking and sanitation have the potential to compromise personal hygiene, which could lead to increased incidences of infections and other preventable illnesses.
It is the healthcare worker who is on the front lines of addressing these challenges, which are caused by climate change, and therefore, healthcare workers deserve to be supported and protected!
Indeed, healthcare workers can safeguard public health and ensure societal well-being. Let us all strive to continue paving and nurturing the way for sustainable positive health outcomes by ensuring that healthcare system environments remain fostered, where every health worker is valued, supported, protected, equipped and wellremunerated.
While the world observes Health Worker Week, those in training are reminded to reflect on their individual goals and aspirations, and the impact they hope to make on the lives of those they will be serving.
Let the journey to becoming a qualified health worker remind you of the significance of your commitment to serving humanity. I hope the week has been a poignant reminder of the compassion, dedication and resilience required to excel in the field of health care.
May you continue to embrace caring values, lifelong learning and applied research by acknowledging that these will altogether play a crucial role in upholding the integrity and effectiveness of healthcare systems worldwide.
I appreciate every little act of kindness you show to those you touch, because kindness creates a ripple effect while inspiring others to do the same for the purposes of contributing to a more caring and supportive nation and making the world a better place for all.
Happy Health Workers Week!
* Tekla Shiindi-Mbidi is a passionate ethics and research educator at IUM and an emerging researcher. Her views do not purport to represent the opinion of her employer.