AfriNurse celebrated International Nurses Day by honouring the top 50 nurse heroes in the country at a gala dinner. The event marked the culmination of the South African healthtech start-up’s #MyNurseHero campaign, which garnered nominations from over 1 000 patients and community members nationwide.
The campaign was driven by AfriNurse’s mission to restore the dignity and positive perception of nursing as a profession through their innovative tech solutions.
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According to Sylvester Lehlogonolo Msuthwana, founder and CEO of AfriNurse, the start-up, along with its online platforms and media channels, was established to combat the negative portrayal of nurses in the media and re-establish the reverence associated with the profession.
He stated, “We prided ourselves in creating value transcending time; therefore, this campaign will be run annually with a new list released yearly to recognise the often fallen angels and unsung heroes of our communities.”
The inaugural edition of the Top 50 Nurse Heroes magazine was launched, further highlighting the extraordinary work of these exceptional nurses. Msuthwana emphasised, “The magazine was pioneered to reshape the narrative about our local nurses and to shine a spotlight on the nurses who went above and beyond the call of duty.”
He added, “The truth is, we wouldn’t have idols if their stories weren’t recorded in history, therefore, the youth would not aspire to become nurses until there were people they could look up to. The good news is that they exist, their stories just needed to be told.”
The magazine profiled 50 nurse heroes who had demonstrated outstanding dedication, innovation, and impact in their roles.
It showcased the accomplishments of nursepreneurs, community builders, changemakers, and others who had made significant contributions to the profession.
Among the featured nurse heroes was Mabel Msuthwana, recognised as a changemaker for her exceptional efforts in upskilling staff members, resulting in porters becoming assistant pharmacists and enrolled nurses as matrons.
Katlego Kgomo, a nursepreneur, was acknowledged for establishing a holistic wellness clinic that focused on healing patients not only physically but also socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Kabelo Sadike, a community builder, dedicated his time outside of the hospital to educate and influence young men through his YouTube channel, encouraging them to pursue nursing as a profession.
The recognition of nurse heroes by AfriNurse not only underscores the invaluable contributions of healthcare professionals but also highlights the growing impact of healthtech start-ups in South Africa. With innovative solutions that leverage technology to address healthcare challenges, these start-ups are revolutionising the industry and improving patient care.
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