Resilient heroes honoured on International Nurses’ Day
NURSES are the backbone and heartbeat of the healthcare system who have, in the past two years, displayed resilience and commitment that goes above and beyond daily duties.
These were the sentiments of KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane during an International Nurses’ Day celebration at Umfolozi TVET College in eSikhaleni on Thursday.
Proceedings kicked off with a door-todoor blitz through the Bhambatha Hostel in eSikhaleni, where the hostel-dwellers were urged to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
The MEC commended the bravery of the province’s nurses in the fight against the pandemic.
‘We are pleased to acknowledge and recognise the impact made by the nursing profession in the provision of healthcare to our communities,’ said Simelane.
‘This is especially so, given our recent past, where we have been confronted by a number of public health emergencies.
‘During these tough times, nurses have displayed immense courage and resilience.’
She also paid homage to the ‘foot soldiers who died with their boots on, and became casualties of Covid-19’.
This year, International Nurses’ Day was commemorated under the theme Nurses - a voice to lead – invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health.
Despite dwindling resources, MEC Simelane vowed the department would continue to prioritise the upskilling of nurses.
‘Without a suitably-skilled and experienced workforce, there is no healthcare sector,' she said.
She, however, cautioned against the ill-treatment of patients and warned those tarnishing the image of the profession.
‘Our nurses must never make patients feel like they are being a nuisance when they come to our clinics, community health centres and hospitals, for help.
‘At the same time, we are not saying nurses must allow people to abuse them. They must call security to apply the relevant standard operating procedures when confronted by adverse situations.
'Respect is a two-way street,’ she said.
Sister Nompumelelo Msimango, who has been in the nursing profession for more than 30 years, encouraged her colleagues to remember the vows they took when entering the field, and the reasons they chose the profession.
‘You must have love and passion for the job. ‘Our responsibility is to deliver a service to the patients and communities we serve.
‘We understand the challenges nurses face on a daily basis but I urge you to stand strong and remember the important role you play,’ said Msimango.