WATCH: Nurses brighten up your day
Nursing manager Elizabeth Kgomongwe believes this day should be celebrated often, not once a year.
South Rand Hospital celebrated International Nurses Day at the hospital residence hall on May 19.
Although the day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, the hospital chose to celebrate it on Wednesday due to some logistics. This year’s theme was A Voice to Lead, a Vision for Future Healthcare.
In her opening speech, nursing manager Elizabeth Kgomongwe said among all the staff at the hospital, nurses play an important role because they are there 24 hours a day.
“Today we celebrate nurses and their important jobs. Following this year’s theme, we are not only here for healing but also future healthcare. We are facing challenges. However, as nurses, the patients look up to us for every need.
“We need to be on the forefront and motivate one another as some are demoralised, especially with this pandemic we are facing. Today we are renewing our vows like a couple in a marriage.
“Some of our colleagues were affected and others infected, that’s why we need to be more loving and available. Covid-19 highlighted our importance; everybody in the world now knows that we are important.
“My plea is that you continue the good job we are doing. Covid brought difficult times, we’ve seen more patients dying and we were affected emotionally. As we are believers, we believe we are here for a purpose: to help others. Patients may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel,” she said.
Chairperson of the hospital board Dr Nalini Maharaj sent a message of support in her absentia; it was read by Mpho Tshite, who also talked about the employees’ wellness.
Nomvula Mailula reflected on the staff who lost their lives. She said they may be gone but they will always be remembered, especially for the contribution they made.
South Rand Hospital lost three staff members: Nobantu Mhaka, Beatrice Nhlapo and Goodness Nkuna, while Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital lost Mmbangiseni Luvhimbi, Kholeka Madikwa, Mashilo Mashako, Kealeboga Modise and Dimakatso Vilakazi.
