16 May 2022

The sacrifices that nurses made at the peak of COVID-19 infections and deaths should compel the nation to recognise and reward them accordingly, says Botswana Nurses Union president, Mr Obonolo Rahube,

Commemorating International Nurses Day in Maun last Thursday, Mr Rahube said nurses worked under heavy workloads and that COVID-19 deaths had a mental health effect on them.

Mr Rahube said nurses were compelled to work long hours in order to save lives and that it put a strain on their health and lives. He also said nurses were subjected to violence from the public who were frustrated and in panic because of the pandemic.

Mr Rahube added that it was high time nurses were valued and paid accordingly to match the nature of their work.

He complained that there were over 350 graduate nurses who roamed the streets since 2020 who could be absorbed into the market to alleviate the shortage in the health care system. He also complained that nurses were underpaid and that many reached the retirement age at C1 scle after working for over 30 years.

“As BONU we say pay nurses adequately because failure to do so will lead them to the UK to seek greener pastures,’’ said the BONU president.

On this year’s theme, Nurses: a voice to lead- invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health, Mr Rahube said the theme was relevant as COVID-19 had exposed the country’s health care system and that it was never prepared for an pandemic.

He highlighted that many nurses lost their lives in the line of duty because of COVID-19 and that some suffered psychological trauma which prompted BONU to engage counselling services for them. Mr Rahube thanked nurses for their commitment and hard work during the pandemic. Giving a brief on Ngamiland District, the District Health Management Team coordinator, Dr Sandra Maripe said nurses were skilled professionals and the backbone of the country’s health care system.

She said nurses were exposed to illnesses in the workplace, stress, violence and risk of wildlife attacks for those working in Ngamiland District. Dr Maripe also noted that they recorded 9 222 COVID-19 positive cases in the district ever since the outbreak of the disease and that 317 of them were health care workers.

The DHMT coordinator said they serviced 120 000 people as per the latest population census. She also said they had one district hospital with 270 beds, 17 health posts, 12 clinics and mobile stop services.

She said the compassion and comfort that health care workers offered patients on a daily basis had healed many. ‘’Continue being our guiding light and we thank you for your service and bravery,’’ said Dr Maripe. Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile said this year’s theme called for an assessment and recognition of the role played by nurses.

He also called for an IHS in Ngami District, saying nursing students would develop the interest of working in the district while studying. He added that Ngami children were attending tertiary education far away because there were no institutions in their district.

Kgosi Oatleng Setlhodi of Chanoga thanked nurses for their services to the nation. He said they fought COVID-19 tirelessly and that they ensured that the public was taken care of. ends