International recognition for local nurses
Sr Ramthol and Sr Ganes are both trained in Nurse Initiated Management of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (Nimart); this entails initiating HIV positive clients on anti-retroviral treatment
When Sister Shamila Seebran Ramthol, the Operational Manager of Forderville Clinic and Sister Geetha Ganes, Operational Manager of Injisuthi Clinic, submitted their projects to the Health MEC Dr Dlomo, little did they realise that their projects would be amongst the six in KwaZulu-Natal to qualify to be presented at the International Aids Conference in Durban in July this year.
Sr Ramthol and Sr Ganes are both trained in Nurse Initiated Management of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (Nimart); this entails initiating HIV positive clients on anti-retroviral treatment. Sr Ramthol submitted her project on the impact of Nimart on Centralised Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) in decongesting primary health care facilities.
Sr Ganes submitted her project on the impact of Nimart on the elimination of mother to child transmission. The conference buzzed with people from all over the world. Both Operational Managers were overwhelmed to have presented at the conference. Despite challenges experienced, it was an opportunity of a lifetime for both nurses and it was overwhelming to have shared practices with foreign delegates.
The conference started very early and continued until late in the evening. Prince Harry, Charlize Theron and Elton John were a few celebrities who attended. It was the first time that nurses were allowed to present at the conference. Their families are very proud of their achievements.
