Nurse wins award for patients care

IN A profession often marred by disillusionment, poor resources and negative publicity, some nurses still manage to uphold their ethics and even risk their lives by working in highly infectious environments.

One such shining star is David Mhlophe, a 40-year-old male nurse at the Thulasizwe multi-drug resistant TB Hospital in rural Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.

Last week Mhlophe was a recipient of the prestigious 2011 International Council of Nurses (ICN)/Lilly Award for Nursing Excellence in TB/MDR-TB.

Receiving the award on World TB Day, Mhlophe said he was thrilled by the recognition - not only for himself, but for his team at Thulasizwe, a 106-bed hospital with a staff complement of 216.

This annual award recognises nursing expertise and intends to motivate nurses working with those affected by TB and MDR-TB.

It showcases the contribution made by nurses to TB prevention, care and treatment.

It also offers the recipients an educational grant to continue their professional development and a specially designed medal. Recipients from across the world are selected by their national nurses association.

Mhlophe is an operational manager for the extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB male ward, acting as infection control manager and a disaster management coordinator for the hospital, tasks he was praised for handling with "excellence and passion", according to the deputy nursing manager at Thulasizwe Hospital, Patricia Mthabela.

Mhlophe says his patients have given him the name "Ncwadi", which means book in English, because he always has answers to their concerns or questions.

"The patients in my ward have become my friends because I spend so much time with them," he said.

"Nurses should recognise patient rights; if you fail to do so, they will hit back."

Mhlophe believes that he received the award because of his workload and his attitude towards patients.

"I always bring myself to the level of the patients; irrespective of their culture or beliefs, they are human beings. Some of our patients spend 24 months in our hospital and it is our duty to make sure they adhere to treatment," he said.

"The award is not only for him, it is for the entire hospital, but he deserved the award because of his dedication, commitment and his capability for being a team builder," Mthabela said.

She said most nurses were afraid to work with MDR/XDR patients, but that was the least of Mhlophe's concerns.

Asked about what motivates him, Mhlophe said: "Seeing patients improve because of my day-to-day interventions, management's ability to develop me and their flexible and approachable nature."

Mhlophe started working at the hospital in 1996 as a staff nurse but studied and worked himself up to the level of a professional nurse. On average he works a 10-hour day shift in an XDR ward and says he takes the necessary precautions to protect himself against possible infection.

"I do worry about being infected but I believe in a good healthy diet and exercise to boost my immune system," Mhlophe said.

The hospital chief executive Bonginkosi Dlamini said they were happy to receive the award and hoped that it would encourage other nurses in the hospital. Mhlophe was the first nurse to win such an award at the hospital.

The award is given annually on the occasion of World TB Day. This year awards were given to 15 nurses from 11 countries, who through their dedication, passion and innovative care strategies excelled in caring for TB patients.