13 May 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has encouraged  nurses to maintain their positive spirit and carry on with the good work they were doing.

Speaking on the occasion of International Nurses Day Wednesday, which coincided with his tour of Khuis’ Stone Natural Resources project, the President expressed appreciation for nurses’ selflessness and commitment demonstrated through empathy, care and support to patients.   

 During the day’s commemoration in Gaborone, BOPA reporter Lesedi Thatayamodimo quotes Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti Noting as saying nurses formed the backbone of a  health care system.

  Government and the nation at large appreciated that nurses played a critical role in the country, said the minister.

He said they continued to be at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, continuously providing quality care and often without a break.

Dr Dikoloti encouraged nurses not to “become weary in doing good, for at the proper time they will reap a harvest”.

  He said government remained committed to the improvement of the working conditions of nurses and the ministry to the spirit of the ‘Nursing Now Campaign’ aimed at improving the status and profile of the nursing profession.

Dr Dikoloti said the ministry had pledged to ensure that nurses and midwives had a prominent voice in health policy formulation.

“We will do all in our power to continuously engage nursing associations like the Botswana Nurses Union, on all issues relating to nurses welfare and the nursing profession,” he said.

Minister Dikoloti further said as part of improving the welfare of nurses, the ministry had in the recent past introduced structural reforms that had seen some nursing professionals assuming leadership roles such as district health management coordinators.

He said the ministry continued to empower nurses by availing opportunities for further education and attending to other critical needs. 

 For his part, Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) president, Mr Obonolo Rahube complained about unresolved issues including safety and security of nurses in the workplace, delayed promotions and shortage of accommodation. 

In addition, he said there was a serious shortage of nurses in the country which had been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He requested government to consider renewing contracts of nurses to mitigate against the challenge. 

Mr Rahube further said BONU was concerned that heavy workloads, shortage of resources, fatigue and stress were leading to increased numbers of nurses resigning from government employment.

He said the effects of COVID-19 were impacting negatively on the now and future of the nursing profession. 

To date, he said, the pandemic had claimed the lives of 14 nurses while some suffered psychological and mental health challenges. 

 Mr Rahube said the pandemic era had highlighted the importance of the nursing fraternity in the health of the nation and appealed to government to invest more in the nursing profession. Ends