EThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda praises health-care workers
ETHEKWINI mayor Mxolisi Kaunda paid tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day which is themed “A voice to lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health”. Thousands of health-care workers have lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kaunda said nurses continued to be at the forefront of the fight, as they risked their lives to save others and contributed towards improving access to health care.
“We have seen again the dedication of nurses during the recent flood disaster in the city. It was nurses and other health-care professionals who were called upon to save the lives of those injured during the floods.”
Kaunda said nurses played a major role in the development of everyone, from childhood to adulthood.
“As eThekwini residents, we want to express our gratitude to nurses who are there when we are born and also present to comfort our loved ones in their final moments.
“Communities need to work together to protect nurses and other health-care professionals who, at times, fall victim to crime and violence in the line of duty.”
IOL reported that Gift of the Givers also paid tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said nurses had been under tremendous strain worldwide since the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020.
“They experienced the trauma of colleagues suffering and succumbing to Covid-19. They were understaffed even before (a situation not corrected to the present), yet they pulled extra hours to cover for those testing positive or who who passed on. At no point were replacements sent. Exhausted from the emotionally draining effects of the pandemic, they still had to go home, and be wives, mothers and nurses to family members who also succumbed.”