On May 12 the world celebrated International Nurses Day to thank nurses for their sacrifices in ensuring quality healthcare.
The day celebrates the birth of the first modern-day nurse, Florence Nightingale, born on this day in 1820.
This celebration is a day when nurses have the opportunity to reflect on their profession and consider their contributions to the well-being of the communities within our city and the country.
Ewan Botha, communications officer for the MMC of Health said: “To all the nurses, this is your special day.
“I believe that nursing is not a profession you can do without being called to it. It’s a profession where such care is required can only be a calling. CARE is an acronym we in the Health Department use frequently and is broken down as being called to Act with passion, Respond with compassion and Execute with military precision.
“I am proud to say that despite facing many challenges, most of our nursing staff in the city do CARE. Healthcare provision remains a challenge not only in South Africa but globally. Nurses remain at the forefront of the healthcare system.
“Your effort in delivering this care from our clinics has not gone unnoticed. As nurses, you are an integral component of our community and the healthcare sector and remain an important resource in the city.
“Nurses in the city had to cope with the expansion of services, introduction of new services and increases in patient loads. Emerging and persistent health conditions and diseases such as HIV/Aids, TB and Covid-19. An increase in some non-communicable and communicable diseases has also compounded increased patient loads, adding pressure to already strained resources and nursing staff.
“Along with the management of the Health Directorate, you have faced this challenge with commitment, dedication and resourcefulness and have provided the foundation for several success stories that are evolving into a holistic approach to health care as prescribed by the current National Health Act.
“As City Health, we might not be at the summit, but we are certainly on the way and going in the right direction. On our journey forwards, may the challenges lessen, and the fruits of your endeavours prevail,” Botha said.
At the Glenanda Clinic, nurses and clinic staff were treated to some cake donated to the clinic by Machacos international.
