Page 5 - ONLINE – Nursing Matters October 2020_Vol 11

Guest editorial HIV NURSING Message from the

MATTERS president

The penning of this edition of HIV ongoing irrespective whether it addresses
Nursing Matters, themed ‘health system the usual challenges, such as the provision
challenges’, could not have come at a of HIV and TB care, or lesser-amplified The Team
more appropriate time, when the entire issues such as drug use, as discussed on
world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic page 14 where an interesting view on the Guest editorial
attributed to SARS-CoV-2. topic is brought to the fore. Silingene Ngcobo

The Southern African HIV Clinicians In relation to HIV care, conscientious President
Society (SAHCS) is making a substantial capacity-building through training Prof. Yunus Moosa
contribution towards the fight against can never be overemphasised, since Editorial Advisory Board
COVID-19 in South Africa through its South Africa has the largest ART Dr Elizabeth Mokoka Prof. Yunus Moosa
recently launched PPE Shortages and rollout programme in the world which Ms Nelouise Geyer President: Southern African
Stockouts Project. This project has had a is entrenched on the nursing personnel Ms Talitha Crowley HIV Clinicians Society
significant impact in healthcare settings, on the frontline. Their need for Dr Julia Turner
including in the practices of general various, innovative capacity-building We are very excited to offer another edition of HIV Nursing Matters, appropriately themed
practitioners, clinics, care homes and programmes is discussed on page 18. Advertising ‘health system challenges’. Everyone should be aware that our healthcare system has been under
E-mail: [email protected]
dentists, as well as in police stations and Tel: +27 (0) 11 728 7365 tremendous pressure with the COVID-19 pandemic. The burden of this pandemic adds to an already
strained healthcare system. This edition not only uncovers specific challenges experienced by some
schools. Detailed insight on this wonderful Given the many challenges currently disenfranchised, marginalised and stigmatised segments of our population, but also provides innovative
initiative is provided on page 4 of this experienced by various stakeholders in Article/Letter submission ways of improving service delivery.
edition. the healthcare system, it is encouraging E-mail: [email protected] Adequate provision of an uninterrupted supply of reliable personal protective equipment (PPE) to
to learn that there are alternative and Tel: +27 (0) 11 728 7365 front-line health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic has received much public attention. In their
Silingene Ngcobo Aside from COVID-19, the healthcare innovative models of healthcare delivery article ‘Nurses matter: Protecting healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic’, van Schoor and
system in South Africa has other unique available, and which are significantly For more information Ndimande provide a concise review of the transmission dynamics and infection prevention and control
(IPC) measures required to contain the spread of SARS-CoV2. In addition they offer much needed
Silingene is a PhD candidate challenges which still require attention, impacting the healthcare outcomes of SA HIV Clinicians Society guidance on the extended use and reuse of PPE.
who holds a Masters’ degree in Suite 233 Post Net Killarney
Nursing, an Honours Degree in with serious negative consequences if they the various communities they serve. Private Bag X2600 Two articles draw our attention to the challenges faced by the trans and gender-diverse (TGD)
Health Sciences, a Post-Graduate are ignored. Some of these challenges The Quadcare model is featured on Houghton population. McLachlan, in the article ‘Gender-affirming healthcare: Our ethical response’, highlights
Diploma in Clinical Management include transphobia in healthcare page 20 as an effective, responsive 2041 the deleterious psychological impact this population faces from an unsympathetic and insensitive
of HIV/AIDS, a Diploma in Primary settings, adequate HIV care provision, healthcare delivery approach that www.sahivsoc.org healthcare service. Luvuno, in the article ‘Challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse people in
accessing public sector healthcare services’, brings to life the experiences of TGD people in navigating
Health Care, and certification in harm reduction for substance and drug addresses all aspects of health needs, Tel: +27 (0) 11 728 7365 an unforgiving healthcare system. We, as healthcare workers, need to introspect on how we can fix our
NIMART, HIV/AIDS Counselling, use, as well as poor general access to through the availability of multiple, Fax: +27 (0) 11 728 1251 attitude towards these patients and thereby lessen their burden.
and Reproductive and Adolescent care. Transphobia has a severe impact on clinically trained and experienced E-mail: [email protected]
Sexual Health and Family Planning. healthcare access for trans and gender- members of the multidisciplinary team. In the article ‘Harm reduction for people who use drugs in Southern Africa’, Scheibe highlights the
deleterious impact our current approach to people afflicted with this disease is having. The author
diverse (TGD) people in our communities. The opinions expressed are the makes a compelling argument for a paradigm shift in policy – something we should all actively be
A lack of exposure of healthcare workers Regardless of the current challenges, opinions of the writers and do not lobbying towards.
to appropriate training in gender-affirming the patient advocacy role should necessarily portray the opinion of the In a crisis, it is critical for all role players to pull their weight. An insightful article, ‘Can the nursing
Editorial Staff of HIV Nursing Matters
healthcare leads to the stigmatisation, always be the driving force behind or the Southern African HIV Clinicians profession contribute to realising the treatment and prevention targets of the HIV, TB and STIs National
Strategic Plan 2017 – 2022’, authored by the Director General of the National Department of Health,
social exclusion, victimisation, harassment every healthcare worker’s actions. Society. The Society does not accept clearly recognises the critical role played by nurses within the healthcare system. An appeal is made
and discrimination of TGD people, This will ultimately help to overcome any responsibility for claims made in for nursing education to keep pace with the rapidly evolving science so that this most valuable cadre of
which can further progress to chronic certain challenges, as an enthusiastic advertisements. healthcare workers remains adequately equipped to manage foreseeable challenges.
mental health problems. Two articles on and willing heart makes things happen. Health system challenges require forward thinking and novel approaches by courageous
pages 8 and 10, respectively, explore All rights reserved. No part of this entrepreneurs. Dr Rakumakoe is certainly one of those rare gems. In the article ‘Improving access
contextual gender-affirming healthcare ‘It’s one small step for man, one giant publication may be reproduced in any to private healthcare in South Africa: The Quadcare model and community healthcare services’,
form without prior consent from the Editor.
Rakumakoe exposes major limitations in our current healthcare system, that puts it out of reach
system services, illuminating the various leap for mankind,’ articulated Neil for much of our population. The articles describes a ground-breaking approach to healthcare that
forms in which transphobia manifests in Armstrong. No matter how small your should give many of us pause to consider.
healthcare settings, with possible solutions action is today, the entire healthcare This issue of HIV Nursing Matters not only highlights challenges faced by the healthcare system but
on what healthcare workers can do to system depends on it. also provides novel and innovative insights into dealing with many of the challenges. Happy reading.
ensure sensitisation towards this matter.
Enjoy the publication. It has been a
Such capacitation of healthcare workers great pleasure to serve as guest editor
is of critical importance and should be for this edition.

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