It's International Nurse's Day: MEET TWO OF OUR NURSES
It’s International nurse’s day, May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale and a great day to recognize our 82 nurses at HEAL Africa, for all the work they do in such a challenging environment. This year we asked a handful of nurses about their jobs and what they found most challenging and what gave them the most satisfaction. Meet two of them, Pascal and Maombi.
KANYERE MATABISHI Maombi finished her studies in Butembo, Eastern DRC. She has been working at HEAL Africa since 2015.
As Congolese nurses, we face many obstacles. First, we study thinking that a nursing career will sustain all our needs, but we learn in the end that it is the quite the opposite. The Congolese actual system does not allow us to thrive is our careers. If we were not crazy about the work we do, then so many of us would already have abandoned this career. Fortunately, we really love what we do.
The second challenging issue concerns our security while working in some unsafe areas. Some of our fellow nurses are getting kidnapped when they have to rescue people in the outskirts. The Congolese government should think of protecting us, especially in those unsafe areas. We are not strong enough to let patients die in suburbs only because we fear insecurity.
HABAMUBGU MUDERWA Pascal is the head nurse responsible for coordinating the activities and equipment in the operating theater at HEAL Africa hospital. He also manages the logistics and follow-ups of HEAL Africa’s Mobile Clinic outreach projects.
I am Congolese, and I love my country. I’m happy with my career because it allows me to bring my expertise to help other Congolese. I am proud of that, as it has always been my wish since my childhood. By its vision, HEAL Africa has allowed me to achieve my dreams.
These days, the main challenge for nurses is that we have been unrecognized by the government. We are forgotten at all the levels. This makes us very vulnerable. The World Day of the Nurse is a reminder for us to ask our government to think about our situation.
We are lucky to be in a field that helps human life. My message towards my fellow nurses [who work in a similar environment] is to keep up your courage and serve the population without counting on the government. We should not stop helping, otherwise, it will be disastrous for our communities.
The strength of HEAL Africa is that the hospital tries to take care of its personnel, and this encourages us. The government should take our example of recognizing nurses.