22 Aug 2016

Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) president, Mr Obonolo Rahube has encouraged union members to work hard, display Botho and be  resilient despite challenges they faced. 

Speaking during the national nurses’ day celebration in Letlhakane on August 18, Mr Rahube said nurses should ensure that their customers access the best possible health care.

Mr Rahube said nurses and midwives had done a lot, adding that more could still be done and that they should always be seen imitating Florence Nightingale.

 He noted that the famed nurse, Nightingale emphasised discipline and played many roles of a caregiver, counsellor, teacher and a community liaison officer. 

He however challenged his colleagues to work harder and change the image of nursing that he perceived as dented.

Mr Rahube reminded BONU members that as nurses they are the backbone of the country’s health system. 

The event was held under the theme, Nurses: A force For Change; Improving Health System Resilience.

 He added that “resilience is the capacity of the health system to respond, adopt and strengthen when exposed to a shock such as a disease outbreak, natural disaster or conflict.”

Mr Rahube said International Council of Nurses aims to elucidate the government and policy makers in matters involving health care and how an educated workforce is essential in targeting Sustainable Development Goal, as well as present and future challenges and needs of the health sector. 

He also said in many forums, the Minister of Health talks about the rise of Non- Communicable Diseases hence the need for government to train further nurses and midwives to prepare them for the challenges encountered. 

He noted that since the minister encourages open door policy they intend approaching her about pending issues they faced as “we also believe in Molemo wa kgang ke go buiwa and ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo.” Ends