Two nurses from Netcare’s Gauteng South West region recently showed that caring for members of the community is second nature to those in the nursing profession. Florence Sefameela, an enrolled nurse at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital and Caroline Motswebone, a registered nurse at Netcare Union Hospital, were among the 15 staff members nominated for Netcare Gauteng South West region’s Carer of the Year Award for making a meaningful impact on people’s lives both within and outside of the hospitals they work.
Florence Sefameela has been described as a modern-day Florence Nightingale for the compassion she showed towards a young mother and her new baby. The baby, who was suffering from a complete heart block, was being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital and had to have a pacemaker inserted.
“The baby boy’s mother was only 20 years old and had no idea how to care for a newborn, let alone a baby with a serious heart defect. Her own mother had passed away two years before and she was staying with her father and siblings. She needed help, and I was more than happy to help ease her into motherhood,” remembers Sefameela.
Sefameela took the young mother under her wing and assumed the role of a nurturing and caring parent. When the baby was ready to be discharged, Sefameela, believing that the mother needed more support, offered to care for her and her baby at her own home. Sefameela continued to guide the mother until she was confident enough to go to a special home for young mothers.
Caroline Motswebone was at home with her children one day when she got a frantic phone call from her neighbour, who said that her mother was rather ill. “I quickly went next door to examine my neighbour’s mother and realised that she needed urgent medical attention as she was unconscious and had difficulty breathing,” says Motswebone.
The neighbour’s mother was rushed to Netcare Union Hospital where she was admitted to intensive care for treatment. Thanks to Motswebone’s quick thinking, the mother has since recovered and is doing well.
Regional director for Netcare Gauteng’s South West region, Sandile Mbele, notes, “We commend and sincerely thank our nurses for living Netcare’s values of care, dignity, participation, truth and passion through their many acts of kindness and compassion.”.
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Issued by: Martina Nicholson Associates (MNA) on behalf of Netcare
Contact : Martina Nicholson, Graeme Swinney, Sarah Wilson or Meggan Saville
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