‘Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare’
MANZINI – Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Nkosinathi Nkwanyane says nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare because there was no healthcare without nurses.
Nkwanyane, who is also the former Nurses Council Registrar, noted that the theme for this year’s International Day of the Nurse, ‘Our Nurses, Our Future, The Economic Power of Care’ undercrossed the vital role that nurses played, not only in promoting health and well-being, but also in driving economic prosperity through their dedication, expertise, and innovation.
Moreover, Nkwanyane said nurses were key drivers of efficiency in healthcare delivery.
“From implementing new technologies and best practices to leading quality improvement initiatives, nurses are constantly finding ways to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare services, thus maximising the value of every healthcare economy spent. To an extent of improvising when there is none, so as to save a life,” she said.
FUNDAMENTAL
Further, she asserted that nurses are the heart of healthcare and there was no healthcare without nurses. She said nurses were the fundamental link in every level of healthcare.
“Today we talk of gains and sustainability of the gains; it is through nurses taking the lead. You are the compassionate caregivers who work tirelessly to heal the sick, comfort the suffering and promote wellness in our communities. But beyond your essential role in providing care, you are also powerful agents of economic and social change. We celebrate, not only the remarkable dedication and compassion of you nurses, but also the immense economic and social impact you have on healthcare systems and communities worldwide,” she said.
She relayed that the most significant contribution of nurses lay in their ability to advocates for the marginalised, the vulnerable and the underserved, working tirelessly to address health disparities and promote health equity in communities.
She said nurses’ significance extended far beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics. In doing so, they not only improved health outcomes, but also fostered social inclusion and cohesion, creating healthier, more resilient societies that contributed to the world economy.
IMPACT
Elaborating, Nkwanyane said the economic power of care lay in the profound impact that nurses had on the health outcomes of individuals and populations.
By delivering high-quality, evidence-based care, nurses prevented disease, reduced hospital readmissions, improved patient outcomes, generated significant economic value by reducing healthcare costs and ultimately saving healthcare systems billions of funds in unnecessary costs.
She said universal health coverage and primary healthcare were not just lofty ideals; they were essential components of a fair and equitable society.
She added that nurses were uniquely positioned to champion these principles and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level. They were the frontline providers who work tirelessly to deliver essential healthcare services to communities around the world, often in the most challenging of circumstances.