Dedicated City nurses enhance health for all
4 May 2019
© City of Cape Town
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, joined 200 nurses from across the city in a walk through Parow North.
'International Nurses’ Day celebrates the contributions that nurses make to society. It is commemorated annually all over the world. It is also an opportunity for the City to honour them for their commitment and the excellent service that they provide. Our nurses often go the extra mile to achieve this. They serve their communities daily under challenging circumstances and continue to be the beacon of light despite the pressing public sector health challenges.
‘The circumstances that they work in are often very trying, such as disruptions as a result of vandalism and theft, contending with service delivery disruptions when protests result in the closure of facilities and many facilities are often caught in the middle of gang battles,' said Councillor Badroodien.
© City of Cape Town
The nurses attending the event were a small representation of a bigger team to ensure that services continued at City clinics.
'Nursing is the heartbeat of healthcare and nurses take care of everyone, their communities, families and co-workers. Today the City Health Department invested in the health of our carers. The event focussed on nurses nursing themselves to wellness. The City event provided for wellness screening and fun activities and a pledge that included nurses' wellness,' said Councillor Badroodien.
Nurses who were today singled out for their service include:
- Nomabali Mavis Makeleni: Clinic Manager at Seawinds Clinic, who started as a student nurse in Umtata in 1986. Seawinds Clinic received Gold Ideal Clinic Status in 2017 and she cites this as a highlight of her career
- Flip Daniels: Clinic Manager at Wallacedene. He joined the City straight out of nursing school and is one of a number of male nursing staff members.
- Mari Grove: Clinic Manager at Netreg Clinic who started her career at the City in 1988 when she was part of the team providing geriatric services to the communities of Bothasig, Monte Vista, Edgemead and Milnerton
- Amila Latief: City Health Trainer. She started her career in 1997. She has seen the Delft-South Clinic grow from humble beginnings to the facility that it is today. Currently, she is a trainer within City Health passing on her knowledge to new staff
- Bukelwa Mbalane: Coordinator: Programme Support. She was the first in her family to pass Grade 12 and to graduate. She overcame poverty to follow her dream of studying nursing
'Nursing is the engine room of health services in the city. Nurses are essential stakeholders to transform health care. Our nurses face many challenges and they are required to respond to the health needs of their clients. And for this dedication I salute them,' said Councillor Badroodien.
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