"Closing the gap, from evidence to action" This is this year's national theme for the commemoration of International Nurses' Day which was observed worldwide on 12 May 2012, in remembrance of Florence Nightingale, "The Lady with the Lamp".
Mthatha Hospital Complex nurses made the circle bigger by holding workshops from May 7, with the intention of strengthening the professional and ethical behaviour of nurses. May 11, 2012 saw this institutions celebration of the profession, as the hospital was abuzz with nurses clad in white in honour of their heroine and hoping to be better beings at the end of that day.
"Viva Nurses Viva" was the opening statement, Mrs Dorothy Matebeni, which got the nurses wild with excitement, who is also a nursing manager in East London Complex's Frere Hospital, who took part in the celebration as a guest speaker. Matebeni encouraged the young nursing professionals and as an experienced person in the field shared her own values with them.
"Let us not just collect the certificates, Florence Nightingale set the bar up high to uphold the nursing values, which are:
- Honesty
- Responsibility
- Pursuit for new knowledge
- Belief in human dignity
- Discipline
- Quality of patient's rights
- Desire to assist other human beings.
She continued encouraging them to be confident of their work and always present themselves in a professional manner. Also amongst those who attendant, Senior Manager Communications, Mr Siyanda Manana, gave a few words which were directed to the management of the complex that, "Nurses shouldn't be compromised by not giving them what is due to them" advised Manana.
On behalf the MEC for health, Manana, delivered a message to wish them a happy Nurses' Day, ensuring them that, the department appreciates their senseless commitment to their execution of duty. According to Manana, the MEC for health called these nurses the "backbone of the health care profession".
The day was later marked with candle-light as every nurse in the hall held a lamp up high and solemnly pledging themselves tothe following:
- To the service of humanity and will endeavour to practice the profession with conscience and with dignity.
- Maintain by all the means in the power, the honour and the noble traditions of their profession.
- Total health of patients will be first consideration.
- Hold in confidence all personal matters coming to knowledge.
- Not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race or social standing to intervene between the duty and the patient.
- Maintain the utmost respect for human life.
- Make these promises solemnly, freely and upon honour.
