Today, the world commemorates International Nurses Day in honour of the invaluable role nurses play in healthcare systems and communities across the globe.
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This year’s theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” shines a spotlight on the urgent need to support, invest in and empower nurses so they can continue delivering life-saving care.
Nurses remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery, often serving as the first point of contact for patients seeking care, guidance and reassurance.
From primary healthcare clinics and pharmacies to hospitals and community outreach programmes, nurses play a critical role in improving patient outcomes and strengthening healthcare systems.
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In South Africa, nurses are not only frontline healthcare providers but are also the primary drivers of access to care, particularly in underserved and rural communities where physician access remains limited.
In South Africa, nurses form the backbone of the healthcare system, accounting for approximately 80% of the country’s healthcare workforce and serving as the primary point of care for millions of patients.
This makes their role in community-based care models not only essential but also transformative. Globally, nurses represent the largest segment of the health workforce and are indispensable in addressing inequities in access to care – a role that is especially critical in underserved communities.
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Feature Image: Gettys
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