Thembisa hospital honours nurses for their dedication and service

Nurses at Thembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital gathered dressed in white on June 11 to commemorate International Nurses Day, which is annually observed on May 12.

This year’s theme was ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives’.

The celebration recognised nurses for their dedication, commitment and invaluable contributions to healthcare.

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Various guest speakers expressed their appreciation and reminded nurses of the important role they play in both the hospital and the broader community.

Thembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital acting CEO Dr Rianna Louw acknowledged the challenges nurses face daily but praised their resilience and unwavering commitment to patient care.

“They are caregivers every second of the day. They are educators and often the first people patients see when they arrive at the hospital, as well as the ones who help nurse them back to health and back into their communities. It is critical that we acknowledge their selfless work because they are the backbone of healthcare,” said Louw.

She added that recognising and celebrating nurses is essential, as their contributions often go unnoticed despite the significant role they play in society.

“Giving nurses the recognition they deserve gives them the strength to continue serving others with dedication and compassion,” she said.

Keynote speaker Kagiso Tukisi encouraged nurses to further their studies and called on healthcare management to support them through study leave, mentorship, and ongoing academic assistance.

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“Nurses work around the clock and witness realities that policymakers do not always see. They are patient advocates, and their voices need to be heard.

“If healthcare guidelines are developed without nurses’ input, they may not reflect what is happening on the ground. Nurses know what works and what does not.

To influence policy and ensure their voices are heard, nurses need to pursue postgraduate studies,” said Tukisi.

Head of nursing Violet Ramalapa, with 30 years of experience, highlighted that nurses’ impact extends far beyond hospital walls through their involvement in community outreach initiatives.

“We regularly conduct educational programmes at schools and churches, and we have donated school shoes, sanitary pads and groceries to families in need.

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“Many of us have remained at this hospital for years because of the support we receive. The hospital has enabled us to further our studies and develop professionally through its continued support,” said Ramalapa.

She added that one of the most rewarding aspects of nursing is hearing patients express their gratitude before leaving the hospital.

“Often nurses feel their efforts go unnoticed, so hearing a patient say ‘thank you’ means everything,” she said.

Ramalapa also urged community members to recognise the pressures nurses face and to work alongside them to ensure quality healthcare services.

“We are here to help our patients, not to work against them. We ask the community to support, encourage and work with nurses so that together we can provide the best possible care,” she said.