Pretoria West District Hospital believes that improved communication and patience exercised by both healthcare workers and the public will be mutually beneficial going forward.

This sentiment, among others, was expressed at the hospital’s International Nurses Day and Midwives Celebration at the facility’s dining hall on May 22.

While International Nurses Day is recognised on May 12, the hospital says that scheduling conflicts resulted in the delayed commemoration.

This year’s theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives, by the International Council of Nurses (ICN),” builds on previous themes calling for investment into the profession for the critical role they play in healthcare.

At the hospital, the day’s events featured inspirational speakers from various faculties, an award ceremony, and a lamp-lighting procession, as well as entertainment and recreational activities.

Acting CEO Julia Apane said commemorating the day is very important, as without nurses, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities as a whole would cease to function.

“Nurses are the root of healthcare services in any institution. It can be a private hospital, academic hospital, district, tertiary, or central, it can be a clinic, whatever level, nurses are the basics. Service delivery cannot happen without nurses.

“That’s why this theme is important because they are the ones with the patients 24/7. They are there at the bedside of the patient; when a patient is critically sick, they stay with them all the way till they’re better and can leave,” Apane said.

The Acting CEO added that those hoping to become nurses must undergo the proper training required. This includes accredited academic qualifications comprising skills associated with self-assessment, how to deal with a patient, being empathetic, being dedicated to the work, and how to be a role model in the community.

Apane said how a nurse carries themselves outside of the facility is a reflection on the facility itself.

“The community also needs to understand that nurses need to be respected. We’ve lost that in our community. Our nurses also need to know how to treat a customer. They’re patients when we admit them, when they come in and leave, that’s customer care.

“That person needs your care and respect, but it’s a two-way street. The main complaint we receive is that patients are not being addressed. So, from the security at the gate all through, people need to be addressed. That lack of communication needs to change,” Apane added.

She said the hospital looks forward to increasing its internal capacity this year, as a shortage of nurses calls for all its vacant posts to be filled.

They are also looking forward to opening their 24-hour maternity unit and 24-hour theatre, so they no longer have to refer patients to Kalafong, particularly at night.

“We need to equip our nurses and give them resources. There’s nothing that can happen in our facilities if nurses aren’t equipped. We need tools of trade.

“They need the BP machines digitalised, the filing digitalised, a proper kitchen to sit and have tea, and employee wellness. Nurses are stressed; they are also human; they also have their own personal problems. We need to be there for them, just as they are here for us,” Apane added.

Hospital nurses manager Lilian Madiba said that nursing is evolving in this day and age, and empowering nurses will assist in saving more lives.

“A hospital is a hospital because of nurses. So if nurses are not trained and are not knowledgeable of appropriate skills, it’s a risk for everyone. So it would assist that we empower our nurses so they can save our lives.

Madiba said they are also honouring midwives under the theme “One Midwife, One Million”.

“Globally, we need one million midwives to save lives.”

Madiba said the hospital currently has 288 nurses, though they still face challenges.

“They still need skills; they’re not all on the same level. Some are more underskilled than others. Other challenges we’re facing are a shortage of staff and a lack of skills. The community is growing, but the human resources aren’t. That shortage causes frustration among the community and the healthcare workers,” Madiba said.

“It’s no secret what the state of hospitals is currently. There are long queues, long waiting periods, medication supply issues, and other things. So, it’s the nurses bearing the brunt of the frustration as they are the primary contact when people arrive. So, to the nurses, it’s not an easy journey, but keep moving. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Madiba added.

Retired Weskoppies heatlhcare worker, Philemon Nkuna, who gave a motivational address to the nurses gathered, said that from the days of Florence Nightingale, the sector has evolved significantly and more resources are needed for the true spirit of the profession to be executed as it was meant to.

“Being a nurse isn’t just wearing a uniform; it’s being a beacon of hope, and that’s why we’re celebrating this day, because it has precipitated a lot of benefits for a lot of people from all walks of life. It has evolved to the point that nurses are the backbone of healthcare.

“Without nurses, a hospital is just an empty building; it would just be furniture. The doctors alone would not be able to care for the many people who come in sick with the hope that they get well,” Nkuna said.

Nkhuna said government must come on board and assist nurses to procure the necessary equipment to assist patients, as a shortage of healthcare workers and doctors contributes to the frustration built up among nurses and patients.

“The nurses should just keep that light burning. Don’t look at the remunitative part of the work, but look at the grace that God has given them and the knowledge they have acquired to help others. That way they can help everyone get healed,” Nkuna said.

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