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12 May 2010

Health services across the world face the challenge of nursing shortages. South Africa, with its high training standards, produces a sought after nursing fraternity.

International Nurses Day will be celebrated worldwide on Wednesday, 12 May 2010. This day celebrates the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth and also marks the 100th birthday anniversary of Florence Nightingale.

The Western Cape Department of Health commemorates this important day and will honour the committed and dedicated work done by nurses at public health facilities through hosting a Nurses Day celebration at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town.

This year's themes for International Nurses day are:
* Delivering Quality, Serving Communities
* Nurses Leading Chronic Care

Our communities greatly rely on nurses at clinical facilities around the world, as they give hope to the sick and injured in hospitals and clinics throughout the country.

In celebrating the day, the Department of Health wish to draw attention to the invaluable role nurses play in delivering quality healthcare to the Western Cape community. We salute the nurses of the Western Cape and celebrate those who contribute so much of themselves to improve the health and lives of others in need.

Theuns Botha, Western Cape MEC for Health addressed more than 600 nurses from health facilities across the province at the celebration. In his address, he praised the nurses for their unfailing commitment to the patients.

"It is only through you that we are able to serve our patients and be what we are.

"If we should compare our health services to a human body, the Head of Health and top management would be the head, central hospitals, clinical services and district health services would be the body and support services would be the nervous system. But the hands and feet of that human body would be our nurses."

The nursing profession is an honourable one, which requires trained nurses in a variety of disciplines. The department urges all nurses to renew their nurses' pledge and commitment on International Nurses Day.

The Department of Health is making an appeal to young people in communities to consider a career in nursing. This is an exciting career with many facets and offers wide range of opportunities for advancement.

Media enquiries:
Emerantia Cupido
Cell: 082 302 9557
Tel: 021 684 1225

Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/)

Issued by: Western Cape Health
12 May 2010

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