The 12 May signifies the commemoration of the International Nurses Day in remembrance of Florence Nightingale who was born on this day. The 2010 International Nurses Day will be commemorated under the theme: “Delivering quality, serving communities: nurses leading chronic care”.
The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases is a serious challenge, where the success in extending life expectancy is translated into a real threat to health. Health services focus on dealing with acute conditions that last for a short time usually ending with either cure or death. In contrast, non-communicable diseases start slowly and often asymptomatically but last longer. Many patients have to live with non-communicable diseases for the rest of their lives.
Reorientation of health systems to efficiently deal with non-communicable diseases is a real challenge which involves patients, physicians, health workers and the community at large. This year’s International Nurses Day highlights the challenges of dealing with non-communicable diseases which is regarded as being beyond the capacity of the health sector alone.
Interventions must also come from other sectors and continuous partnerships and collaborative efforts be maximised in tackling these challenges and ensuring that quality health care is delivered to our communities.
Journalists are advised and invited to the provincial event in commemoration of the International Nurses Day to be held as follows:
Date: 14 May 2010
Time: 09h00
Venue: Madadeni Hospital
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
11 May 2010
