PsySSA pays tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day
PsySSA calls upon both the public and private sector to ensure that nurses and other healthcare workers have access to safe work environments and sufficient personal protective equipment.
The Psychological Society (PsySSA) pays tribute to nurses on International Nurses Day (12th May). International Nurses Day is celebrated on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, widely considered to be the founder of modern nursing. The theme for this year is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead”. Nurses constitute the largest group of healthcare professionals and they play a pivotal role in achieving the health indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals. With an understanding of the intersections between health, socioeconomic and psychosocial factors; nurses are ideally placed to provide healthcare and health promotion services to communities and advocate for better health for all. Today, we acknowledge and celebrate the enormous contribution of nurses in working towards achieving global Universal Health Coverage.
On this day, we pause to express our gratitude to nurses around the world, and South Africa specifically, for their selfless dedication to healthcare. We acknowledge the many personal sacrifices and risks that nurses face every day in their workplaces. Nurses have always been at the healthcare ‘frontlines’ – fighting epidemics and outbreaks; providing lifesaving care to patients while also promoting healthy lifestyles and behaviours. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted this life saving work. Through innovation and a holistic and patient centred approach, nurses have brought health, humanity and dignity to millions of people all over the world. In the service of humanity, many nurses have lost their lives. We pay tribute to them; we honour them and wish their families and loved ones comfort in this difficult time.
PsySSA calls upon both the public and private sector to ensure that nurses and other healthcare workers have access to safe work environments and sufficient personal protective equipment. Recognising the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of nurses and other health care personnel, PsySSA wishes to highlight the need for ongoing efforts to support their physical and mental well-being.