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The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in Limpopo strongly condemns the act of a nurse who was caught red-handed selling ARVs on the streets of Polokwane yesterday.

We are disappointed in her conduct as it taints the good name of the profession and undermines the great contribution and hard work that many nurses put in their work every day in servicing communities despite severe shortage of nurses.

What remains a mystery to DENOSA, however, is how an assistant nurse got to issue medication in the first place when, in terms of regulation by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), that is the duty of a professional nurse.

As DENOSA we strongly advise nurses not to fall in the same trap as that will make this profession a laughing stock. DENOSA has been vocal about the severe shortage of medication in many clinics countrywide. We feel very strongly that the action of this nurse undermines this call when she commits this selfish and inconsiderate act.

Nurses have made a tremendous contribution in saving the lives of patients who suffer from HIV/AIDS through NIMART, and it is the cause that they are fully committed to. It’s a contribution that DENOSA is proud of as it has had positive spin-offs such as the increase in the life expectancy of South Africans. DENOSA feels this is the contribution by nurses that must be defended; and we trust that the justice system will play its part.

DENOSA assures the committed nurses out there that their contribution is still valuable, and they must continue to serve South Africans with diligence. 

Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa Limpopo