Looking after rural Health Workers has never mattered more

There is global recognition that Health Workers are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our role, now more than ever, is to look after our rural Health Workers who continue to work tirelessly saving the lives of others.

Our Health Workers put others before themselves, strive to relieve suffering and save lives and have had to rapidly adapt their practice during these unprecedented times. Health Workers have risked their own health caring for COVID-19 patients and may have endangered their loved ones. The additional burdens on their work - including increased cases of suicide, abuse, malnutrition and death cause real distress and panic. Understandably many we support feel anxious, afraid and overwhelmed.

Social media proved to be a precious gift during lockdown, connecting loved ones who were physically isolated. For us, it has now become an essential tool to connect us to more Health Workers and has been an opportunity for us to reach so many more rural Health Workers.

Following discussions with Health Workers, CHIVA South Africa commenced production of computer-based teaching and mentoring resources to strengthen their delivery of care to an already vulnerable community. These will be a lifeline in these distressing times as we will be able to increase our mentoring and teaching to reach the furthest corners of the district and beyond.

Despite the physical limitations imposed by COVID-19, our new approaches are already proving to be beneficial. As one Professional Nurse from Hlathi Dam Clinic reported,

We need your help to offer this to more rural Health Workers and ask you to invest in those who risk their lives every day to save others.