Worldwide, nurses and midwives play a vital role in providing health
services. There are times when they are the first and only point of
health care in communities. The World Health Organization (WHO)
designated 2020 as the International Year for the Nurse and Midwife.
WHO had envisioned nurses celebrating their achievements and being
celebrated by the whole world especially by the people whose lives they
have touched. The goal was to highlight the role of nurses and midwives
in health care delivery, the challenging work conditions they face and
to urge governments to invest more in the nursing and midwifery
workforce.
Unfortunately, even before they could begin the celebrations, the
nurses’ role was thrust into the limelight in a very dramatic and
practical way in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak putting them right at
the frontline of a battle for which no one was fully prepared.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, nurses in Kenya already faced workplace
challenges which included lack of basic equipment and supplies, and
nurse shortages leading to nurse-patient ratios that compromise quality
of care and safety of both patients and nurses. The onslaught of this
COVID-19 pandemic in developed countries has heightened fears for many
nurses who at this point feel ill prepared to cope with such influx of
patients should that happen to us. The apprehension is real considering
some of countries with more resources and detailed emergency plans are
getting overwhelmed. Statistics about nurses and other healthcare
workers who have been infected has added to the fear and highlighted the
vulnerability of the people at the battle front.
It is commendable that the government is making an effort to increase
the number of health care workers and supplies in readiness for the
worst. It is critical that staff at the front line have protective wear
which include gowns, masks, face shields and gloves. Availing protective
gear should go hand in hand with training on proper use and providing
information to ensure staff safety. We must balance between protecting
the caregivers and making sure we do not run out of supplies which will
be much needed in the event the situation becomes as bad as is
projected.
In my experience as a nurse I have observed that staff members make
mistakes when they are scared. With the fear that has come with this
pandemic these mistakes can result in failure to protect self from
getting infected, or unknowingly exposing other patients to infection.
This is why we must provide psychosocial support to the caregivers which
includes one on one or group counselling, and accommodation for those
who have been exposed or those do not wish to go home after work for
fear of exposing their loved ones. Nurses are also having to deal with
the stigma associated with the COVID-19 disease leading to social
isolation and psychological trauma. We must support them in various ways
to enable them continue offering the care that is needed at this point.
At the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, where I work, we have
put in place a psychosocial support for our nurses and other staff
members. In addition, comfortable staff accommodation has been
identified as well as transportation to ease the burden of escalating
cost of public transportation. Sharing information with our nurses and
other staff on a regular basis and leadership visibility on the ground
are other ways that are helping to calm the staff members. These are
some of the practical yet highly impactful things that those in
leadership at healthcare facilities can do to support the nurses.
The speed with which this pandemic hit the world by caught many by
surprise and shock. As a country we are fortunate we can learn from the
experiences of the countries that were first hit and be prepared to act
fast. Every citizen needs to head the guidelines that have been
provided to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection. Stay at home, wash
hands frequently and maintain physical distance. With this you will
protect yourself, your loved ones and healthcare workers.
To all the nurses on the frontline be encouraged we are a resilient
force. When this crisis is over we shall have our global celebrations as
earlier planned, only this time the guest list will include everyone
else who is with us on the frontline and behind the scenes fighting the
Coronavirus.
2020-05-15
