South Rand Hospital celebrates International Nurses Day
Nurses play an important role in boosting the economy.
South Rand Hospital celebrated International Nurses Day at their hall on May 28.
Different stakeholders gathered at the hall to celebrate with them. The programme director was Tshekedi Monyemore. This year’s theme was: “Our nurses our future, the economic power of care”.
In welcoming the guests, the CEO of the hospital, Simphiwe Gada, said although there have been many activities celebrated in May, they also celebrate International Nurses Day.
“The immense contribution that is made by the nursing profession ensures that our health system continues to thrive and life expectancy increases. We know the history of where we come from that at some point the life expectancy was low in this country. Diseases such as HIV/Aids, diabetes and hypertension are the number one killer diseases in our community. It is through the contribution of nurses that we can make serious inroads in this regard.
“In 2020 the country faced a very serious challenge of Covid-19. Today we are gathered in this hall without wearing masks. And this again is attributed to the hard-working nurses. When Covid hit schools and police stations, they were all closing but it was the nursing profession, the doctors and all healthcare workers who did not have the option of closing. We celebrate that.
“All these were made possible through the discipline and dedication of nurses to their country, South Africa. The patriotism that was displayed by nurses and other health workers is what has brought us this day,” he said.
On the purpose of the day, Mahudu Tebela, a nurse at the hospital said this day is celebrated on May 12 in commemoration of the birthday of the mother of nursing, Florence Nightingale. She was born in 1820 on this day.
She was a social reformer, a statistician and a founder of modern-day nursing.
