Press Release 3/2011 Message from Chairperson

Press Release 3/2011 Message from the Chairperson

 
  

4 June 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NURSES OF SOUTH AFRICA MOURN THE DEATH OF AN ICON:
NONTSIKELELO ALBERTINA SISULU

The nurses of South African mourn the passing on of Mrs Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu – an icon and a mother to the nursing profession through the window of nursing struggled for better health for all at the height of inhumane apartheid system.

“Mrs. Sisulu’s passing on has left a void and beckons to the conscience of all nurses; and those who continue to misrepresent the ethos of her profession, to come forward and stand in active solidarity at the side of the those who practice the profession with honour, as ‘Mama Sisulu’ did, in this hour of our grief,” says the Chairperson of the South African Nursing Council (SANC) Ms. Nonhlanhla Makhanya.

Born on the 21st of October in 1918 in Tsomo (in the former Transkei), Mrs. Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu joined the nursing profession after completing her training (Certificate in Nursing, 1944) at was known as the Johannesburg Non-European (now Chris Hani Baragwaneth) Hospital.  She worked at the Johannesburg Non-European Hospital as a nurse and later trained and obtained a Certificate in Midwifery (1954).  She contributed 43 years of her life to the nursing profession.

Through the window of nursing, Mama Sisulu was able to view with particular clarity fundamental struggles and tension that were taking place in South Africa at the time.  Nursing brought her to ‘the heart of South African conditions’ for in nursing she was confronted by the ‘intensity of the dynamics of race, class and gender’.

Mrs. Albertina Sisulu was a pioneer, using a climate of adversity as a driving force, for community-oriented nursing a model that would typify community-based primary healthcare in South Africa.

SANC says that her name stands besides the likes of Charlotte Maxeke – the first black woman to receive a Bachelor’s degree in 1907, Cecilia Makiwane – who in January 7 1908 became the first black professional nurse, Margaret Resha and Mary Malahlela who became the first female Black doctor in South Africa.

“One writer Kuper (1965),” continues Ms. Makhanya “noted; ‘Nursing bestows on an African woman new opportunities for freedom of individual development, but carries the burden of added responsibilities.  It brings them past the threshold of Western knowledge, but shuts the door of equality in their faces.’  The life of Mrs. Sisulu was a personification of this note.”

To the Sisulu family, in this hour of profound grief, we firmly stand by them and convey to them our heartfelt condolences, concludes Ms Makhanya.

ENDS

ISSUED BY:
MS JABULILE NONHLANHLA MAKHANYA
CHAIRPERSON: SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

 

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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Press Release 2/2011 International Nurses’ Day 2011

Press Release 2/2011 International Nurses’ Day 2011

 
  

12 May 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2011

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

Today on 12 May, the nursing fraternity is celebrating the International Nurses Day which is the commemoration of the birth of Florence Nightingale who made a significant contribution towards the nursing profession.

The theme for 2011 is “Closing the gap, increasing access and equity”

This is the day where we recognize the contributions and efforts that nurses put in prioritizing the well being of the patients despite the daily challenges and pressures that nurses are faced with.

As the regulatory body the South African Nursing Council our key object is to serve and protect the public in matters involving heath services generally and nursing services in particular.  In this regard the Council commits itself to setting standards for education and practice that will ensure continuous supply of highly competent and service oriented nurse.

The South African Nursing Council further commends all nurses who took part in the recent Nursing Summit, which was aimed at reconstructing and revitalizing the nursing profession.  The inputs nurses have made at the nursing summit which culminated into the Nursing Compact will indeed contribute towards shaping the destiny of the profession and transformation agenda of the Council, in our quest to improve service delivery and also respond to the service delivery needs of our communities.  As we celebrate this day, we would like to commend and call upon all nurses in South Africa and across the world to continue to be advocates and good ambassadors of the nursing profession, maintain the high quality nursing standards and uphold the ethics of the profession.

ENDS

Issued by

The chairperson: Ms JN Makhanya

South African Nursing Council
P.O. Box 1123
Pretoria
0001

Tel : 012 426 9542 / 083 496 8366
Fax : 012 426 9554

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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Press Release 2/2010 Statement by Chairperson of SANC on the nurses partaking in the industrial action

Press Release 2/2010 Statement by the chairperson of SANC on the nurses partaking in the industrial action

 
  

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL – Ms. J.N. Makhanya on the nurses partaking in the industrial action

 

As a statutory body mandated to serve and protect the public on matters relating to health services generally and nursing in particular, we note with sadness incidences where users of public health facilities have not been able to exercise their constitutional rights to access to health care.

We are aware that there are dedicated nurses who want to continue providing services essential for saving lives and alleviating suffering especially amongst the vulnerable groups that include people on chronic medication, pregnant women, newborn babies and people that are on life saving therapies.  We appeal that these nurses be assured of safety of their lives while exercising their professional, ethical, and moral obligation to save lives and allowed space to provide care to our patients.

We also want to remind even those that are partaking in this life threatening industrial action of the Nurse’s Pledge that says:

“The total health of our patients will be our first consideration”

We commend the volunteers and those working outside government who heeded the call and in the interest of saving lives and alleviation of undue suffering, stepped in and provided their services.

We also would like to remind the whole nursing fraternity that their right to strike does not supersede their professional and moral responsibility to be of service to the consumers of health care.

We commend measures that have been put in place, i.e., the court interdict, to deal with intimidation and look forward to interventions that would ensure that patients are not denied their right to health care services.

Lastly, we appeal to the government as an employer and the unions to work together to speedily resolve this dispute that has and continues to threaten the lives of our patients.

Let us all remember that Health is a Human Right!

ENDS


 

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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Press Release 1/2010 SANC supports the national campaign on the prevention and treatment of HIV and Aids

Press Release 1/2010 SANC supports the national campaign on the prevention and treatment of HIV and Aids

 
  

25 March 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release:

 

In strong support of the National Campaign on the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, and in recognizing the essential role that nurses should play in reaching national goals, the South African Nursing Council pro-actively want to invite and enable all nurses to actively participate in this campaign (April 2010 – June 2011).

Retired nurses who are eligible for registration and who are currently not registered with South African Nursing Council are therefore invited to register as a specially created category of nurse in terms of section 31(2) of the Nursing Act, 2005.

 

Registration will imply:

valid registration for 12 months
participating in counseling, testing, general health screening, referring and educating of members of the public.

 

Nurses who, on a voluntary basis avail themselves to participate and support the campaign, can obtain more information from the following sources:

Website: www.sanc.co.za
Phone : 012 426 9542

ENDS


 

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

Press Release 1/2009 News of a meeting regarding developments in the nursing profession

Press Release 1/2009 News of a meeting regarding developments in the nursing profession

 
  

PRESS RELEASE

28 August 2009

South African Nursing Council

 

The South African Nursing Council, Democratic Nursing Organization of S A, the National Department of Health and the Council for Higher Education met today as critical strategic partners to lay the ground for engaging on matters relating to the developments in the nursing profession

From this meeting, it became clear that there is a need for continuous engagement between these partners on matters including education and practice.

The various interest groups in the nursing sector will be kept informed through a series of meetings and communiqués.

 

J N MAKHANYA
CHAIRPERSON
SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

 

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

Press Release 2/2007 Members of SANC sign a code of conduct recommitting themselves to good governance

Press Release 2/2007 Members of SANC sign a code of conduct recommitting themselves to good governance

 
  

2007

Press Statement

Towards a New Nursing Era

 

As members of the South African Nursing Council, we have signed a Code of Conduct recommitting ourselves to ensure good governance within the Council.

The Council remains committed to its mandate of protecting the interest of the public in matters relating to nursing services and promoting the provision of quality nursing services to the people of South Africa.

We are determined to maintain high standards of professional conduct and practice amongst nursing practitioners.

The Council is working with the Department of Health in finalizing the regulations that bring into effect most sections of the new Nursing Act.

The Act ushers in a new era in the history of our noble profession including the establishment of the new Nursing Council.

 

Let us work together to reaffirm the central role of nursing in the delivery of health care


SANC Offices

602 Pretorius Street

Arcadia

Pretoria

012 420-1000

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

Press Release 1/2007 SANC issued a plea to nurses to return to work

Press Release 1/2007 SANC issued a plea to nurses to return to work

 
  

12 June 2007

Press Statement

 

The Executive , Finance and Staff Committee of the South African Nursing Council met today,12 June 2007 and noted with great concern the current disruption and suffering of patients in the health services.

The Council believes that the majority of nurses in South Africa respect the vulnerability and the rights of patients to receive care, and would like to be free to attend to their patients.

The Exco makes the following plea: 

“To the nurses please return urgently to work to care for our community. To the general public, please protect the safety of nurses and allow them to return to work.” 

The Exco also expressed sincere condolences to patients and their families who have been compromised during this time. We also express grave concerns and condolences for nurses who have been severely injured and have died while trying to get to work.

While recognizing the need for improvements in salaries and conditions of service and due process on negotiation, we plead that both patient and nurse safety be given the highest priority at this time.

SANC Offices

602 Pretorius Street

Arcadia

Pretoria

012 420 1000

 

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

Press Release 1/2007 SANC issued a plea to nurses to return to work to protect the health of the country’s patients, and to the general public to protect the safety of the nurses

Press Release 1/2007 SANC issued a plea to nurses to return to work

 
  

12 June 2007

PRESS STATEMENT

 

The Executive , Finance and Staff Committee of the South African Nursing Council met today,12 June 2007 and noted with great concern the current disruption and suffering of patients in the health services.

The Council believes that the majority of nurses in South Africa respect the vulnerability and the rights of patients to receive care, and would like to be free to attend to their patients.

The Exco makes the following plea: 

“To the nurses please return urgently to work to care for our community. To the general public, please protect the safety of nurses and allow them to return to work.” 

The Exco also expressed sincere condolences to patients and their families who have been compromised during this time. We also express grave concerns and condolences for nurses who have been severely injured and have died while trying to get to work.

While recognizing the need for improvements in salaries and conditions of service and due process on negotiation, we plead that both patient and nurse safety be given the highest priority at this time.

 

SANC Offices
602 Pretorius Street
Arcadia
Pretoria
012 420 1000

 

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

Press Release 1/2006 International Nurses Day – 12 May 2006

Press Release 1/2006 International Nurses Day – 12 May 2005

 

10 May 2005

To be released on 12 May 2005:

 

International Nurses Day – 12 May 2005

 

Today 12 May 2005 is a day set aside internationally to commemorate nurses. The members of the profession of nursing are committed to serve people whose health status is compromised and to maintain the health status of those that are healthy.

The profession of nursing began humbly with the commitment of Florence Nightingale who sought to tend to and restore the dignity of the sick and injured in the Crimean War. Today nursing has grown into a fully-fledged profession that plays a significant role in health care delivery.

For this day of commemoration the international community has identified the theme “Nurses for patient safety: Targeting Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines”.

Counterfeit and Substandard Medicine is not only costly to consumers, it is a particular serious area of crime because it puts the lives and well-being of patients at risk, leads to loss of confidence in the medical profession, and in the quality, safety and efficacy of the medicine they prescribe.

“Today on this 12th day of May 2005 on behalf of the South African Nursing Council, I pay tribute to the contribution the 177 000 nurses in South Africa make to our health care system”, said Hasina Subedar, the Registrar of the South African Nursing Council. 

We salute those nurses who:

Work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days of the year to ensure that the health care needs of South Africans are met. 
Provide health care to all, rich and poor, young and old, sick and well, newborn infants and those that are dying. 
Are the backbone of the South African Health care system and carry the burden of providing health care in very adverse conditions. 
Work in rural and remote communities and who are often the only health care provider available to meet the health care needs of these communities.
Restore the dignity of the sick, the elderly, the young and the terminally ill.
Have remained in South Africa through their commitment to serve the people of our country.

 

Issued by the South African Nursing Council in Pretoria.

 

For further enquiries please contact the Communications Officer at 012 420 1000.

ENDS

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

Press Release 3/2005 International Nurses Day – 12 May 2005

Press Release 3/2005 Information about International Nurses Day – 12 May 2005

 

 

10 May 2005

To be released on 12 May 2005:

 

International Nurses Day – 12 May 2005

 

Today 12 May 2005 is a day set aside internationally to commemorate nurses. The members of the profession of nursing are committed to serve people whose health status is compromised and to maintain the health status of those that are healthy.

The profession of nursing began humbly with the commitment of Florence Nightingale who sought to tend to and restore the dignity of the sick and injured in the Crimean War. Today nursing has grown into a fully-fledged profession that plays a significant role in health care delivery.

For this day of commemoration the international community has identified the theme “Nurses for patient safety: Targeting Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines”.

Counterfeit and Substandard Medicine is not only costly to consumers, it is a particular serious area of crime because it puts the lives and well-being of patients at risk, leads to loss of confidence in the medical profession, and in the quality, safety and efficacy of the medicine they prescribe.

“Today on this 12th day of May 2005 on behalf of the South African Nursing Council, I pay tribute to the contribution the 177 000 nurses in South Africa make to our health care system”, said Hasina Subedar, the Registrar of the South African Nursing Council. 

We salute those nurses who:

Work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days of the year to ensure that the health care needs of South Africans are met. 
Provide health care to all, rich and poor, young and old, sick and well, newborn infants and those that are dying. 
Are the backbone of the South African Health care system and carry the burden of providing health care in very adverse conditions. 
Work in rural and remote communities and who are often the only health care provider available to meet the health care needs of these communities.
Restore the dignity of the sick, the elderly, the young and the terminally ill.
Have remained in South Africa through their commitment to serve the people of our country.

Issued by the South African Nursing Council in Pretoria.

For further enquiries please contact the Communications Officer at 012 420 1000.

ENDS

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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