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Nursing and politics: a South African perspective
Author(s) -
Ehlers V. J.,
Phil Litt et
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1466-7657.2000.00016.x
Subject(s) - politics , nursing , negotiation , legislation , statutory law , political science , health care , medicine , the republic , economic growth , law , philosophy , theology , economics
The purpose of this paper is to provide a general introduction to politics, and to describe some political changes which have affected the rendering of multi‐disciplinary health care services in the Republic of South Africa since 1994. Political issues which will be addressed include: changed provincial borders; opening up of the Republic of South Africa’s international borders; increased emphasis on primary health care services; enhanced international involvement of the Republic of South Africa; changes in the statutory bodies governing the nursing profession; and changed legislation affecting health care workers. Political know‐how is essential for professional survival. Unless nurses in the Republic of South Africa collaborate proactively as a united group representing the largest proportion of health care professionals in the country, the nursing profession and nursing education might become irrelevant to the political realities of the country and its people. Unless nurses can succeed in engaging in successful political debates and in negotiating their rights, they might become an increasingly voiceless, faceless and powerless female profession in the Republic of South Africa. However, politically knowledgeable nurses may help to ensure that the people will get the nurses and the nursing care they deserve, whilst the nurses will enjoy the benefits to which they are entitled, including market‐related salaries.