Frontline workers saluted in celebration of International Nurses Day

Today is International Nurses Day. In a statement, the MEC for health in Mpumalanga, Sasekani Manzini, wished all nurses a happy day.

“May all the care and kindness you give to others come back to warm your heart. The department appreciates all your efforts as you continue to fight Covid-19,” she said.

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The Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union (Ynitu) also saluted all nurses. The union said there was nothing to celebrate from the health system of the country, as nurses continue to work under extremely appalling conditions.

It instead saluted its own for their dedication and hard work, despite the overwhelming pressures of overcrowded hospitals, lack of PPE, lack of financial incentives and the death of fellow workers.

“We salute you, because you continued to stand firm at the bedsides of our people in times of need. The global pandemic has demonstrated to the world that healthcare workers are the heartbeat of any healthcare system,” said Lerato Mthunzi, president of Ynitu.

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“We would like to salute our nurses for their tireless contribution towards preserving the health of our people. Nurses are among some of the most hard-working men and women in society.

“It is through their caring hands that the needs of the sick are met and children are born into this world. Even as we faced the harsh realities of a pandemic, these men and women put on a brave face to work in clinics and hospital wards. “As a union, we declared 2021 as the year of ‘Caring for the Carer’, because we know how easy it can be for people to forget that nurses and other healthcare workers also deserve to be looked after. Those who are in the forefront of the health crisis we face today, will continue to inspire future generations as true heroes in scrubs and epaulettes,” concluded Mthunzi.