HOSPERSA  -  HEALTH AND OTHER SERVICE PERSONNEL TRADE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA

HOSPERSA President, Godfrey Selematsela, a nurse and midwife, has the following message on behalf of HOSPERSA:

The International Council of Nurses’ theme for International Nurses Day on May 12th is aptly described in their campaign: "Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses leading chronic care". Nothing could be more appropriate in describing the nurses role in South Africa, today. In fact the South African National Aids Council ( SANAC)through its lead department, the Department of Health has announced the biggest ever and revolutionary HIV counselling and testing campaign. The holistic approach of the campaign also aims to intensify the health service response to chronic illnesses such as HIV, TB, diabetes and hypertension. Nurses will undoubtedly provide the foundation for such a campaign, and HOSPERSA salutes all. "Nurses champion the delivery of health services daily, with 24 hour care at the bed side, in clinics, hospitals, communities, schools, frail care facilities and private homes. The nurse endures nursing environments that range from the most desolate to the most lavish and resourced. Nurses have mastered adaptability to the work environments with varied and vast challenges. From the war camps of Florence Nightingale to state of the art health facilities, nursing has thrived. Millions of people throughout the world, are comforted, aided, counselled, supported and healed through the selfless efforts of thousands of warm, compassionate and caring nurses. "Nurses undoubtedly, lead chronic care, and while the health team sports many other professionals, nurses deserve the highest salute.” We say thank you to the 20 000 nurses, who trust HOSPERSA as your voice at work, and assure you that the nurses voice on the union executive hails just as loud as those voices on the ground.

As leaders in HOSPERSA, we salutes all nurses on International Nurses Day, especially in the nursing field, we pride ourselves on protecting and advancing the interests of nurses in the health sector, whether public, private, big, small, rich or poor.

Quality nursing services relies on many factors. The staff numbers, training, equipment, facilities, safety measures, remuneration, conditions of service and ethical matters are a few areas under our constant spotlight when considering nursing issues. This has seen a better pay dispensation in the public sector, for nurses, the envy of other professionals in the health team. However, much still needs to be done. To this end HOSPERSA nurses’ dialogues have begun, which will see a revival of the HOSPERSA Nurses Forum, as pioneered by HOSPERSA in the late 90’s. Special attention and space will be given to the voice of young trainee nurses within the union’s Young Workers Structures and the Nurses Forum. Focus on mentoring and development of young aspirant nurses will also take centre stage. Nurses can look forward to a Nurses Summit later on, so keep abreast with HOSPERSA news. With the high disease burden and critical nursing shortages, nurse gatherings and celebrations for Nurses Day, have been limited, in comparison with the past. Nurses prayers and sentiments will however, be shared throughout our country and the world.

HOSPERSA will host a Nurses Day event at Baragwanath Hospital, in Gauteng, where we have our largest nursing membership at a facility. A limited number of tokens will also be distributed for nurses through our provincial offices.‘ Long live nurses! Saving lives Serving our communities through quality care! To view pictures taken at Hospersa's National Celebrations, click on http://www.hospersa.co.za/gallery/press/dirindex.djhtml