On Tuesday 28 February 2012; the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Health Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo will visit three nurses who have been recognised by their peers as best performers to thank them and encourage them to spread the spirit of service among other healthcare workers.
Journalists are invited to be part of the MEC’s entourage to Taylor’s Halt Clinic (Pietermaritzburg) at 09h00 where he will hand over Certificates of Appreciation.
“These servants of the people have begun to tell a ‘new story’ that the President alluded to in his State of the Nation Address,” explains MEC Dhlomo. “They have shown dedication to the care of the ill and resolute to the oath they took when they were admitted into their professions. This type of character and dedication must be highlighted especially when it is seen in the most rural of our areas.”
The trio are recipients of awards conferred by government to well deserving healthcare professionals. Ms Pretty Rejoice Mkhize is a young nurse who is an inspiration to her colleagues and puts the welfare of her community ahead of all else. She is known for caring beyond the call duty.
In July 2011 while on leave; Ms Mkhize volunteered in a Medical Camp at Willowfontein. This project required screening of patients for high blood pressure and diabetes. While she was only supposed to work until 14h00; she would remain with her patients until 17h00.
Her colleagues always reminisce with pride an incident when one Sunday, 28 August 2011 while she was carrying out an assessment on a psychotic patient she observed a laceration on the patient’s head which was sustained during her struggle in the community. In spite of the patient being difficult, due to psychosis, she ensured that the patient had a skull x-ray and was treated appropriately.
Mr Mgcineni Thulasizwe Lembethe is the 2011 winner of the Indondo Community Development award conferred by the Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize. He was born in a farm between Mooi River and Greytown. In 2001 he was employed by the KZN Department of Health as a TB Tracer. Coming from a family with a number of siblings with disabilities, he had always wanted to build his capacity to be able to deal with their rehabilitation.
Mr Lembethe was nominated because of his dedication to helping disabled people in different communities within Umgungundlovu District. He works with disabled people to ensure that they are able to live independently; they are involved in projects that will help them. He also works with disabled children to ensure that they access education and are not neglected.
Mrs Z N Mthiyane is a winner of the 2011 Marilyn Lehana Award. Having worked as a nurse for 24 years; she is still dedicated to serving the rural poor as she works at Toylor’s Halt clinic as Clinical Practitioner.
The MEC concludes by stating; “Hearing these stories one can easily believe the saying that there seems to be ‘a fine line between insanity and dedication…I call that line commitment’. We wish to share these positive stories with other healthcare professionals and the people of KwaZulu-Natal so that they know, that amongst the few who do not deserve to be in this noble profession, many more are dedicated to the care and wellbeing of our people.”
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
