Programme director
All nursing staff
Students
Retired and professional
Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)
Officials from the Department of Health
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good morning to all
It is a wonderful privilege and honour for me to join you here today as part of this very important day International Nurses Day. The day is yearly celebrated on 12 May which is the birthday of a person considered to be the founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale.
This day has been put aside every year to express our sincere gratitude to those individuals who form the backbone of our health system. The theme of International Nurses Day for 2009 is, “delivering quality, serving communities, nurses leading care innovation.”
Being a nurse is a very special calling. It is a call from God. Today we are paying tribute to and saluting the dedicated nurses who have been making a real contribution and dedication to the health system in our province, country and the world.
Through your dedication and commitment, we have made significant progress in addressing issues of accessibility and equity and bringing hope to our citizens. You therefore have reason to feel proud for participating in reshaping service delivery in our country.
I should also add that one of the major improvements brought about by the government, are opportunities for career development and promotion that were not available to health workers form historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Bursaries are on offer and there are number of programmes in the nursing profession to choose from.
We therefore further encourage more of you to advance your knowledge and acquire scarce skills. It is then that we can continue to take health care services in the province to new and improved levels by filling more senior, specialised posts a din turn opening up more vacancies for upcoming student nurses.
Today, we are currently facing numerous challenges like the spread of HIV and AIDS, TB, sexually transmitted infection (STIs), teenage pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse and poor sanitation. Not to mention the challenges of rising food and fuel prices and increasing stress levels and the ultimate challenges of a shortage of nurses and doctors. This is the current face of health.
Staff shortages is no doubt a sore point, but it is important that you know that government firmly remains committed to improve the current situation and the best can only be achieved if the environment is conducive to change and reinforces new and positive behaviour.
One of the resolutions taken at the Polokwane conference and manifested in the African National Congress (ANC) election manifesto is the prioritisation of the health sector. The ANC and the government of the country are committed to implementing this priority across all spheres of government.
It is in this light that I want to encourage you not to give up. Your caring hands and loving hearts are needed now more than ever. Nurses are still the first people you see when you enter the public health service. Health systems worldwide are increasingly challenged faced with a growing range of health needs and financial constraints that limit services potential to strengthen health sector infrastructure and workforces.
We are immersed in a global nursing workforce crises one marked by critical shortages of nurses. The reasons for the shortage are varied and complex, but key among them are unhealthy work environments that weaken performance or alienate nurses and too often, drive them away from specific settings or from the nursing profession itself.
Looking at the specific challenges facing the health sector and specifically the nursing sector in our province are the restoration of the nursing college in Kimberley to its full glory, shortage of staff and the issue of Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD).
The issue of OSD is experienced nationally and at present this aspect is at an arbitration level. I would like to give our commitment as government that we will attend to and engage with all stakeholders to ensure a positive outcome for all parties involved.
Positive practice and work environments are very important in the nursing sector and the following aspects are required for optimal social and psychological well-being of nurses:
- Job security and workplace safety
- Good social support from colleagues and managers
- Access to education and professional development opportunities
- Professional identity
- Recognition
- Rewards and good remuneration
- Autonomy
- Leadership
- Absence of work pressures
I want to say to nurses that when the going gets tough, take time out. Invite the Lord as a physician and a healer to guide you in your ways. I ask of you to take care of your emotional health and when you are overwhelmed, talk to someone. You have to develop strong bonds with your colleagues and form a united force and an infallible network of support.
All five districts have already celebrated International Nurses Day on 12 May. The event here today is a combined partnership between the Northern Cape Department of Health and DENOSA. The reason for this provincial event to celebrate International Nurses Day is because it is the 75 anniversary of the life of Florence Nightingale. As part of this anniversary, we are going to plant a rose tree in remembrance of the pioneer of nursing in South-Africa Henrietta Stockdale.
In closing, I would like to thank the Florence Nightingales of the Northern Cape. You are the core of health services and we are grateful to you for the work that you are doing. We commend, recognise and appreciate the contribution you make to the healing of individuals, families, communities and our nation.
I thank you.
