Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital nurse Zainunisa Brown has been nominated for the prestigious Cecilia Makiwane Nurses Recognition Award.
The Western Cape health department will host its annual Cecilia Makiwane Nurse’s Recognition Award at the Lagoon Hotel tomorrow, Friday October 21,to pay homage to the thousands of nurses who brave the various challenges this profession presents.
Ms Brown works at the Oncology and Haematology Clinic at the hospital, and helps patients and their families develop a positive attitude towards the patient’s illness, by explaining the patient’s condition, treatment plan and what to expect in a simple and understandable way.
“Caring for children with a life-threatening illness, one has to constantly be mindful of the difficulties that the patients and their families face; therefore I focus on demonstrating a caring and compassionate attitude and believe in promoting the dignity of each patient,” she said.
She is also the Occupational Health and Safety representative for the unit, part of the multi-disciplinary simulation team that provides training through simulation exercises and was part of the local organising committee for the 47th Congress of the Societe Internationale D’Oncologie Pediatrique (SIOP).
She is also the link between the hospital and many support organisations such as Reach for a Dream and the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC).
The awards ceremony provides the department an opportunity to recognise and reward those nurses who walk the extra mile with their patients and who embody the calling of what it means to be a nurse.
Dr Beth Engelbrecht, head of the health department, said: “Providing quality healthcare to 75 percent of the Western Cape’s population is no easy feat but with a committed nursing force who dedicates themselves tirelessly to their work, it puts the department in good stead to overcome any challenge.
“Our department is fortunate to be able to boast about such a calibre of nurses in the province. That is why we recognise their selfless work and commitment, not only to the department, but also to each patient, their families, their friends and communities as a whole”.