Graduating eye nurses ‘set to boost service’ at hospital

TWENTY nurses who graduated in ophthalmic nursing science would boost service at the recently launched McCord Provincial Eye Hospital, said Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo yesterday. He was speaking at the first three days of graduation

of ceremonies taking place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg.

In total, 1 872 nurses from 25 campuses and sub-campuses of the KwaZulu-Natal College of Nursing were graduating.

The nurses graduated in advanced midwifery, orthopaedic nursing science and operating theatre technique.

Dhlomo said: “I’m particularly excited about the ophthalmic nurses that we are getting … we now need these ophthalmic nurses (at McCord), as they will be able to diagnose and refer people on time.

“The health status of our people will be greatly enhanced as we deploy all these specialised nurses. Indeed, they will be able to serve under primary health care and promote and advocate for both curative, and preventive health care.”

He said the nurses were the backbone of hospitals and clinics, and the engine of the health-care system.

Dhlomo reminded them that the career path they had chosen was not about getting paid at the end of the month, but was a calling.

He said nurses were usually the first persons critically ill patients and those in hospital saw in the mornings and the last they saw at night. They were the patients’ key source of information, comfort, assurance and treatment.

He added: “If teachers don’t do their job and come late to work, learners fail, and they come back to school the following year. But when nurses and all health-care professionals are lazy and do not come to work on time, people die.

“I urge you to go out there and do good. Our country is proud of your achievements.”