Nurses' Day
11 May 2007
Eastern Cape Health Department recently hosted ceremony to celebrate
International Nurses' Day of Prayer at Mthatha Hospital Complex in Mthatha. The
theme of the day was "Positive practice - Positive environment equals quality
healthcare". Delivering her speech at the ceremony, Eastern Cape Department of
Health Deputy-Director General for Clinical Services, Dr Nandi Diliza mentioned
that the Eastern Cape Government would do everything in its power to address
the plight of nurses in the province.
International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every on 12 May,
which is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. She told hundreds of
nurses attending the ceremony that the department was aware of the challenges
they were facing including staff shortages and the heavy workloads they are
carrying.
Dr Diliza saluted the nurses for their great responsibility at the hospital
complex saying that they were the pillar of the Health System. "Without the
nurses there will be no Health System," commented Dr Diliza. She also
encouraged the nurses to do their work and also to abide by Batho Pele
Principles as the nursing profession was a call from God and the Batho Pele
Principles were practiced long ago during the times of Florence
Nightingale.
"When you are going to the grave you must die empty, having exhausted all
the best of what you have in life by becoming the servants of the nation,"
added Dr Diliza. She also saluted nurses who are staying in the province for
not looking for greener pastures overseas and mentioned that the health
department is looking on issues of performance management affecting the nurses
directly. Dr Diliza also assured nurses that government is going ahead with
revitalisation programme to upgrade health facilities in the province.
Mthatha Hospital Complex's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Nomalanga
Makwedini said that nurses were foundation of the nursing profession and
without them the nursing profession would collapse. She also mentioned that
Mthatha Hospital Complex is rendering primary and secondary health services in
the Eastern Cape.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
11 May 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecpg.gov.za)
