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Durban 7th
August 2009 -
EHHC
Celebrates Women in Healthcare
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On 7th August, the management and staff of EHHC
celebrated Women’s Day by inviting women who have helped
to define the healthcare industry to speak to staff
about making a daily impact in their lives and careers.
Frances Steele, who has spent a lifetime devoted to
developing ethics and quality standards in the nursing
profession, spoke of the importance of self – self
motivation, self respect, self knowledge and ultimately
“forgetting oneself in the service of others.”
She
outlined the four most important values of a hospital;
excellence of craft, honesty, dignity of patients and
humility. “As women in the health professions, we have
the skills to provide the highest quality of care by
practicing these values every day and taking personal
responsibility for our actions.”
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Frances Steele addresses EHHC staff. |
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Noluthando Langeni, who was KZN’s first black, principal
Matron spoke about her experiences in the nursing
profession. During her illustrious career,
Noluthando often found herself speaking out about
practices that were unfair or needed to change. “My
mother was a very strong woman who taught me to be true
to myself and fight for what I believed in. There were
times when it would have been easier for me to keep
quiet but I’ve never been one to compromise my
principles.”
Noluthando passed on these values to the many nurses she
trained. “The nurses under my supervision were taught to
work hard, be the best they could be and become positive
agents for change.”
Speaking of the challenge of maintaining a work/life
balance, Noluthando stressed the importance of spending
time with family and of creating positive role models
for children. “My parents influence made me the person I
am today. Their strength, wisdom and love gave me the
courage to believe in myself and the things that I
thought were important. We should all give that gift to
our children.”
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