In-depth: Surgery catch-up hamstrung by shortage of ICU nurses

Posted in: Spotlight

Hospitals in South Africa have been put under immense strain over the past two years as beds were filled with COVID-19 patients and elective surgeries had to be put on hold. To make things worse, pre-existing shortages of intensive care trained nurses and other critical staff were exacerbated by healthcare workers themselves contracting SARS-CoV-2 and falling ill or having to isolate themselves. Tiyese Jeranji explores how Gauteng and the Western Cape are catching up on elective surgeries and asks what is being done about the underlying problem of staff shortages.

In-depth: Surgery catch-up hamstrung by shortage of ICU nurses

Medical intern burnout worsened by COVID-19

Posted in: COVID-19, Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest

Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic many medical interns in South Africa had a tough time, often working long hours and with little oversight or support. Chris Bateman spoke to interns and junior doctors in public hospitals and tag-on COVID-19 facilities, who are performing tasks of porters, auxiliary nurses, and liaising with anxious relatives, instead of getting the required hands-on, supervised learning.

Medical intern burnout worsened by COVID-19

Employing more nurses can reduce total health costs, study suggests

Posted in: Latest

A recent study published in The Lancet medical journal suggests that employing more nurses can result in cost savings double the cost of employing the additional nurses. The study was conducted in Australia but may well have important implications for nursing in South Africa. Tiyese Jeranji reports.

Employing more nurses can reduce total health costs, study suggests

Interview: From humble beginnings to vaccinating the President

Posted in: Latest, Provinces, Western Cape

On 17 February Sr Milanie Bennett administered the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Bienne Huisman tracked her down to learn more about her long journey to this historical moment.

Interview: From humble beginnings to vaccinating the President

SA is facing a healthcare worker crisis – What to do?

Posted in: Healthcare system, Healthcare Workers, Latest, NHI

Many healthcare workers are rightly identified as heroes of South Africa’s COVID-19 response. Yet, often healthcare workers are given very little support in the public healthcare system, something that may get worse as healthcare worker shortages get more acute in the coming years. Kathryn Cleary investigates.

SA is facing a healthcare worker crisis – What to do?

COVID-19: The touching story of Nurse Angy Rabothatha

Posted in: Latest

Testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 can be frightening and traumatic. Nurse Angy Rabothatha is among the many nurses who are part of government’s trace and support teams who help people with COVID-19 on their journey. She shared her story with Biénne Huisman.

COVID-19: The touching story of Nurse Angy Rabothatha

Reflections on the future of nursing in South Africa

Posted in: Latest

The Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP) recently hosted an online webinar focusing on social accountability in the nursing education. Professor Laetitia Rispel, SA Research chair on the Health Workforce at Wits, delivered the opening address on challenges facing the nursing profession. We publish an edited extract.

Reflections on the future of nursing in South Africa

COVID-19: Healthcare worker unions explain their concerns

Posted in: Latest

As South Africa’s COVID-19 numbers continues to rise, long-simmering healthcare worker complaints are boiling over. Tiyese Jeranji spoke to trade union representatives from Hospersa, Denosa, Nehawu and YNITU about salary disputes, staff shortages, healthcare workers safety, psychological strain, and access to personal protective equipment.