Nurses and retired nurses, including community health workers, received recognition for their almost-invisible labour inside and outside hospitals, with little public visibility, as International Nurses Day was celebrated on May 12.

International Nurses’ Day is observed around the world to mark the contributions nurses make to society on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

The awards and recognition ceremony took place during a breakfast dialogue crusade held at Stanza Bopape Community Hall in Mamelodi, which was organised by Vhathu Phanda Community Forum.

Thabo Moshabelo, chairperson of Vhathu Phanda Community Forum, said: “We host International Nurses Day in recognition of current, retired and home-based care nurses.

“The recognition or awards certificates handed to the nurses remind them that their work is visible, [and] valued by the community, including other health-care partners,” said Moshabelo.

“It is important to remember that nursing is high-stress, low-resource work,” he continued.

“Therefore, public recognition reduces burnout, reinforces professional pride, and gives nurses reason to stay in the field and within our different communities.”

Moshabelo said the event is also about inspiring retired nurses, who have started forums like the Mamelodi Retired Nurses forum, to partner with local organisations. These partnerships bring hope and trust in the health system to many families.

He also thanked home-based care nurses, specifically those who work in isolation, often without peers or supervision, for their impact and for keeping patients out of hospitals.

“We want to say thank you for your hard work,” he said.

The event did not go without recognising and honouring retired nurses for their life-long services and continuation of free health services.

Moshabelo added, “We see your past service, we value your present role, and your contribution still matters.”

Puseletso Modiba, a community health worker (CHW) from Kameeldrift clinic, said: “We honour all our professional nurses, including the CHWs.”

Modiba said they celebrate everyone in the health system for the hard work that they do within communities, because they play a very important role in taking care of patients.

“We want to thank you and tell you that you are the backbone of the health system. And this also goes for the CHWs, who are always on the ground working in the community, even in harsh weather; you are always there for the community,” Modiba said.

“CHWs walk around different communities unlocking doors that have been long locked, and help forgotten and frail patients, elderly people who desperately need food and medication. This includes relapsed patients and newborn babies who only had the immunisations that they received after birth, and never went back to a hospital or clinic again.”

A retired nurse, Queen Namane, said the event was dedicated to honouring all nurses and retired nurses for their years of dedicated service, passion and care to our communities.

She said the nurses were guided, supported, and mentored to continue upholding the values and legacy of Florence Nightingale and other nursing stalwarts.

“By investing in such initiatives, we are helping to build the academic future of our children, and encouraging more young people to pursue nursing as a profession.”

She wished the organising team to continue its prosperity, growth, and success in its efforts to empower communities and improve the future of our nation.

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