Happy Nurses Day to all South Africa’s nurses who take the front rows in looking after us all.
Western Cape, South Africa (11 May 2022) – Nurses are at the forefront of the pandemic battle, and this year the City of Cape Town not only tips its hat to these frontline warriors but also encourages all South Africans to salute them by helping to ensure a safer working environment.
International Nurses Day (IND), an annual observance held on 12 May commemorating the birth of Florence Nightingale, was established in 1974 by the International Council of Nurses(ICN) and also serves to highlight the important role nurses fulfil in healthcare.
“International Nurses Day has taken on even more significance since the COVID-19 pandemic, and South African nurses have given us more than enough reasons to appreciate them. Nurses have not let their guard down in the last two years and continue to do the most to look after and serve all South Africans,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
This year, the theme for International Nurses Day (IND) is Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in Nursing and respect rights to secure global health.
“In the last year, Cape Town nurses saw an average of 225,653 clients a month. Nurses are often the only health professionals accessible to many people in their lifetime. They are particularly well placed and often most innovative in reaching underserved and disadvantaged communities, and are key to achieving our service delivery goals,” said Councillor van der Ross.
Nurses understand the complex nature of maintaining health and wellness and the impact of psychological and socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment and ethnicity.
They see the context for well being and accordingly act in a way to reach beyond the immediate problems.
“Nurses have contributed so much towards the achievement of the United Nations Strategic Development Goals and help shape and deliver sustainable goals and outcomes. Yet there is more we can and must do. Some of them work in areas where their own lives are often in danger from the very community they serve.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has also taken its toll. Sadly, three nurses in City Health and many more around the world have lost their lives in the battle. We acknowledge their passion, dedication and innovation. As we pause to mark this day, we extend the City’s gratitude to all of South Africa’s nursing staff and encourage them to stay the course, difficult as it is. This year, we celebrate this special day to honour them. Happy Nurses Day to all the nurses who take the front rows in the battles against pandemics like the true warriors,” added Councillor van der Ross.
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