Date: 12/05/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: International Nurses Day
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING NURSES ON INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY AT GROOTTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL ON 12 MAY 2003
The key vision of our Western Cape Government is to build a World Class Province which Cares for all of its people. The fact that the theme of this year's International Nurses Day is 'Caring for All' could therefore not be any closer to the heart of our plans for World Class healthcare in the province.
According to the most recent figures of the SA Nursing Council there are almost 25 000 public and private nurses on their books in the Western Cape, which is one nurse for every 167 people (1) - compared to the national figure of 1 nurse for every 249 South Africans. What this means is that the face of healthcare in our province is the face of our nursing corps. When families need advice or medical help, it is our nurses to whom they most often turn, and it is the warmth and professionalism of our nurses which sets the standard for service delivery in our hospitals, clinics and consulting rooms.
Our Provincial Government realises that nursing is no easy task in a country and a province which face the challenges which confront us. We know that many of our most dedicated nurses face daily challenges like heavy workloads, non-nursing duties, a lack of resources, and difficult working environments.
Although the Western Cape is performing well in comparison to other provinces, we also realise that World Class healthcare requires the best use of budgets and resources, and that real attention must be paid to our health-care professionals. In drafting HealthCare 2010 - our plan to bring the quality health care services of the Western Cape closer to our people and communities - a shortage of nurses in the province has been identified. It has been projected that we need to increase the public health care nursing staff in the Western Cape, currently 10 317, by about 950 nurses, and this is a target which will be receiving attention from our Department of Health.
The importance of the theme for this year's International Nurses Day is how relevant it is to South Africa. "Fighting AIDS Stigma. Caring for All" cuts right to the heart of the health-challenges in our country and province. Precisely because of the respect commanded by nurses in our communities, it is nurses who can help break the stigma attached to AIDS and people living with AIDS. We urge all nurses to become even more active agents of change in breaking down this added burden on the families and lives of those who are HIV+.
There are very few people who have either the moral courage or the emotional strength to perform the services which the nurses of South Africa and of the Western Cape undertake on a daily basis. From caring for the victims of violent crime, to trauma, abuse and neglect, the Western Cape's 25 000 nurses in public and private health-care continue to provide selfless service to our people.
On this, International Nurses Day, celebrating the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the Government of our province salutes and thanks the Florence Nightingales of the Western Cape and our country. We commend, recognise, and appreciate the contribution they make to the healing of individuals, families, communities and our nation.
Footnote:
(1) - Although this figure does not necessarily mean that all 25 000 are actively practicing nurses.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, cell: 083-778-9923
Issued by the Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government, 12 May
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: International Nurses Day
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING NURSES ON INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY AT GROOTTE SCHUUR HOSPITAL ON 12 MAY 2003
The key vision of our Western Cape Government is to build a World Class Province which Cares for all of its people. The fact that the theme of this year's International Nurses Day is 'Caring for All' could therefore not be any closer to the heart of our plans for World Class healthcare in the province.
According to the most recent figures of the SA Nursing Council there are almost 25 000 public and private nurses on their books in the Western Cape, which is one nurse for every 167 people (1) - compared to the national figure of 1 nurse for every 249 South Africans. What this means is that the face of healthcare in our province is the face of our nursing corps. When families need advice or medical help, it is our nurses to whom they most often turn, and it is the warmth and professionalism of our nurses which sets the standard for service delivery in our hospitals, clinics and consulting rooms.
Our Provincial Government realises that nursing is no easy task in a country and a province which face the challenges which confront us. We know that many of our most dedicated nurses face daily challenges like heavy workloads, non-nursing duties, a lack of resources, and difficult working environments.
Although the Western Cape is performing well in comparison to other provinces, we also realise that World Class healthcare requires the best use of budgets and resources, and that real attention must be paid to our health-care professionals. In drafting HealthCare 2010 - our plan to bring the quality health care services of the Western Cape closer to our people and communities - a shortage of nurses in the province has been identified. It has been projected that we need to increase the public health care nursing staff in the Western Cape, currently 10 317, by about 950 nurses, and this is a target which will be receiving attention from our Department of Health.
The importance of the theme for this year's International Nurses Day is how relevant it is to South Africa. "Fighting AIDS Stigma. Caring for All" cuts right to the heart of the health-challenges in our country and province. Precisely because of the respect commanded by nurses in our communities, it is nurses who can help break the stigma attached to AIDS and people living with AIDS. We urge all nurses to become even more active agents of change in breaking down this added burden on the families and lives of those who are HIV+.
There are very few people who have either the moral courage or the emotional strength to perform the services which the nurses of South Africa and of the Western Cape undertake on a daily basis. From caring for the victims of violent crime, to trauma, abuse and neglect, the Western Cape's 25 000 nurses in public and private health-care continue to provide selfless service to our people.
On this, International Nurses Day, celebrating the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the Government of our province salutes and thanks the Florence Nightingales of the Western Cape and our country. We commend, recognise, and appreciate the contribution they make to the healing of individuals, families, communities and our nation.
Footnote:
(1) - Although this figure does not necessarily mean that all 25 000 are actively practicing nurses.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp, cell: 083-778-9923
Issued by the Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government, 12 May
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