Call to address health-care system

THE Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) has called on the government to address disruptions to the country’s health-care system as the world commemorated International Nurses Day yesterday.

This international day is observed around the world to mark the contributions nurses make.

As the country celebrated the day, Denosa called on the government for a clear strategy to address the “gradual disruption” Covid-19 is having on the country’s health-care system.

The union said: “At the core of this disruption in the healthcare service is the under-utilisation of nursing skills and experience at the high decision-making echelons of many countries’ healthcare systems, despite the reality that healthcare systems globally are driven by a majority of professionals and nurses.”

Denosa said this warning came from the survey report for January by the International Council of Nurses (ICN). The report revealed that just under 40% of 105 countries surveyed, including South Africa, found that specialised nurses in infection, prevention and control are less involved in decision-making teams, with only 44% of countries indicating their involvement.

The union said the report found Covid-19 had resulted in disruptions of health-care services in critical areas, including a 70% reduction in community routine vaccination, a 55% reduction in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the cancellation of 28 million routine surgeries.

“Denosa is concerned South Africa’s picture is no different to the findings of the ICN report. The country is sitting on a ticking time-bomb as the effects of these reductions will compound and worsen to a point where healthcare services won’t be able to respond adequately,” the union said.