A day to honour nurses on the frontline
International Nurses Day at Sterkfontein Hospital this year was set aside to acknowledge their nursing staff for the many hardships they had faced the past year.
While the rest of the world struggled to adapt when the Covid-19 pandemic first struck, those in the medical profession had no time to step back and adjust.
When the first cases found their way to hospitals across the globe, nurses were, arguably, the ones most affected. They were right on the frontline, caring for a sudden and massive influx of patients infected by a virus the world was still trying to understand.
Almost a year after that first major rise in Covid-19 cases, the world is slowly returning to some kind of normal. Since South Africa is no longer in hard lockdown like it was last year, nurses could again participate in a celebration of their profession.
International Nurses Day is celebrated every year on 12 May on the anniversary of the late Florence Nightingale’s birthday. She has been credited as the founder of modern-day nursing for her efforts during the Crimean War of 1853.
Like Nightingale did more than two centuries ago, nurses today face seemingly insurmountable odds during an unprecedented time, spending many more hours on their feet than anyone could expect of them, tending to the sickly and dying.
During a day of celebration and remembrance at the Sterkfontein Hospital, CEO Jimmy Mapunya said, “We are humbled by your bravery, hard work and commitment to putting patients’ interest before your own, especially when we were hard hit by the first and second waves of Covid-19. Regrettably, our war against the Covid-19 pandemic has cost the lives of some of our colleagues, and this day is also dedicated to those fallen heroes. You remained resilient and kept upholding the values of your profession with dignity and humility.”
Hospital management later handed over certificates and trophies for excellence in the nursing profession. Mapunya lastly said, “May your achievements inspire others also to strive for excellence. We congratulate all nominees for service excellence awards. You are all winners!”
