Health Dept calls for all hands on deck to protect nurses, other healthcare workers
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Health is calling for all hands on deck to protect nurses and other healthcare workers as South Africa joins the global community in commemorating International Nurses Day on Monday.
The call comes as nurses continue to face physical and verbal abuse while on duty, with recent incidents of robbery and sexual assault reported at primary healthcare facilities across the country.
The department said nurses play a critical role in delivering quality healthcare and that a safe, supportive working environment is key to achieving long-term health outcomes like reduced infant and maternal mortality.
The commemoration in 2025 is being held under the theme: 'Our nurses. Our future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.'
It's a reminder of the crucial role nurses play not only in healthcare delivery, but in building stronger, more resilient economies.
The department will also participate in the global launch of the State of the World's Nursing 2025 report on Monday, hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
"It is for this reason that the department appeals to all stakeholders in the society to join hands with government, law enforcement agencies and various community-based structures to make health facilities safer places for nurses to carry out their duties,' said spokesperson Foster Mohale.
In a bid to ease workloads and improve care, it's set to recruit 200 additional nurses as part of the Human Resources for Health Strategy 2030 — a plan linked to the country's commitment to universal health coverage under the National Health Insurance (NHI).
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