International Nurses Day: Health Dept calls for protection of nurses, healthcare workers
JOHANNESBURG - The Health Department is calling for all hands on deck to protect nurses and other health 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.
This year's commemoration 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 Organization and the International Council of Nurses.
Spokesperson, Foster Mohale said, "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."
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).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
11 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
SA National Blood Service reveals less than 1% of citizens donate blood
CAPE TOWN - Latest statistics from the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) show just under 1% of the population donates blood. That's below a World Health Organization (WHO) target, which requires countries to have a 1% to 3% donor rate. With June being National Blood Donor Month, there are increased calls for more citizens to donate blood. However, the spokesperson for th e SANBS, Thandi Mosupye, says socio-economic issues and disease pose a challenge. 'Our previous census from 2022, you will see that S outh Africa has got about 62 million people, but if you look at the number in terms of donors that are there, you'll see that we are just short of 1%.' Mosupye says blood is needed for patients during surgery and paediatric care. 'We need to collect about 3,500 units of blood on a daily basis to meet the demand of the areas in which we are servicing, and in the past, we've found ourselves having come short of that number though at this point in time we are doing fairly well in terms of our collection.'
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
France takes a stand: smoking is banned in outdoor areas accessible to children
France has announced a moe to ban smoking in areas accessible to children. Image: Unsplash In a significant public health move, France's Health and Family Minister, Catherine Vautrin, announced that the country will implement a ban on smoking in all outdoor areas accessible to children from July 1. This includes popular venues like beaches, parks, bus stops, and outside schools - places where the presence of young children is significant. The new regulation aims to protect children's right to breathe clean air, a directive that the French minister stated is crucial as "The freedom to smoke stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts." As France gears up for the bustling summer travel season, the implications of this ban will be notably felt by smoking travellers. Historically renowned for its café culture, where patrons leisurely smoke while enjoying their meals, travellers planning to visit must now adapt to tighter regulations. While smoking in iconic café terraces remains permitted, their outdoor excursions will be limited in various public spaces, requiring smokers to choose designated areas more carefully. The legislation is part of a broader strategy outlined in the government's National Anti-Tobacco Programme (2023-2027) to propel France toward a "tobacco-free generation" by 2032. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Current statistics share that around 35% of the French population is smokers, higher than the European average of 25% and a global figure of 21%, according to the World Health Organization. The initiative aims to reduce the annual toll of approximately 75 000 deaths due to tobacco-related illnesses in France. With fines of up to €135 (approximately R2 750) awaiting those who violate the ban, smoking travellers must also consider the potential penalties of not adhering to the new regulations. Moreover, the move comes as 62% of the French population expresses support for stricter public smoking regulations, reflecting a growing awareness and desire for a healthier environment, especially for children. Interestingly, the new ban doesn't encompass electronic cigarettes, which have seen a surge in popularity, adding another layer of complexity to the smoking landscape in France. Additionally, as many as 1,500 municipalities across the nation had already independently established smoking restrictions in public spaces, signalling a grassroots movement towards tighter controls. Ultimately, while the ban may be seen as an inconvenience for some tourists, it underscores a significant shift in cultural attitudes towards smoking in France - an evolution that prioritises the health and well-being of its younger populations over the longstanding freedoms associated with tobacco use. France has announced a moe to ban smoking in areas accessible to children. Image: Unsplash
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Wordplay won't save patients' lives
Surgical waiting lists in Gauteng are called dynamic, but cancer patients can't wait months for life-saving treatment. It is extraordinary that Gauteng department of health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba concedes there are 34 528 patients on surgical waiting lists across public hospitals in the province, but denies that's a backlog. He says 'it is important to differentiate between surgical backlogs and waiting lists' because the waitlist 'is a dynamic figure as it fluctuates when new patients are registered on the waiting list and when surgeries are performed'. That's bound to be of some comfort to the people with life-threatening conditions – such as cancer patients – who have been told they will have to wait up to eight months to go to theatre. One man we spoke to doesn't have that time… he will probably be dead before getting to the front of the queue. ALSO READ: Over 34 000 patients waiting for surgeries in Gauteng's public hospitals The clever wordplay does not disguise the fact that our government hospitals – especially in Gauteng – are a sluggish, overburdened mess. No doubt the ANC will prescribe a stiff dose of National Health Insurance to cure these ills. But all we can see is the massive amounts of money squeezed out of salary earners for the scheme will be squandered or stolen. Whistle-blower Babita Deokaran discovered that at Tembisa Hospital – and paid for her bravery with her life. NOW READ: Getting help with Botox
