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White Paper on Universal Coverage to emphasise significant role of nurses
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Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, told a nurse leaders’ meeting that the upcoming White Paper on Universal Health Coverage will emphasise the significant role that nurses play in the country’s health system.
He was addressing the African Health Profession Regulatory Collaborative for Nurses and Midwives (ARC) report-back meeting on Tuesday 14 July at the Southern Sun Hotel near OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. The meeting comprised of academics, chief nursing officers, nursing regulatory bodies and nursing associations from countries in the SADC region as well as some from the central part of the continent.
South Africa was represented by Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Dr Nonhlanhla Makhanya, South African Nursing Council Registrar Chairperson, Prof Bhengu, Acting Registrar and CEO, Thandi Manganye, DENOSA President, Simon Hlungwani, and academic, Professor Mavis Mulaudzi.
The main objective of the meeting was to share progress and challenges from countries for Year 4 ARC grant recipients and to gain knowledge and expertise in relation to viral loads and the potential to enhance HIV care and treatment.
He praised the hard work of nurses in saving lives under extremely trying conditions. “Whenever there is a shortage,” he said, “we always expect the impossible from you. I need to say thank you because you don’t think twice about taking on that responsibility.”
“When there’s no doctor in a facility, nurses become a doctor; and when there’s no pharmacist, nurses assume that role, and when there’s no information technology person, nurses become that person.
He said because of NIMART, “we are proud to say we now have more than 3500 facilities that administer ART countrywide.
He added that in 2008, the mother to child transmission has decreased over the years. “It is Midwives who are at the forefront of Mother to Child transmission. The role of nurses and midwives will continue to be important in our fights for HIV and AIDS.
Beside the use burden of HIV and AIDS, SA has a burden of TB pandemic. As chairperson I rose the idea of adoption the 199090 for TB also, after consultation with Health Minister of BRICS countries. Deputy President is heading up a mass screening programme.
We have decided to train nurses on Multi-drug resistant. About 190 nurses have been trained, and it will increase 250 by next year.
I acknowledge the role that nurses continue to play. Without competent nurses and midwives we have no hope of providing quality care to our people.
