​Communities have been called to protect healthcare workers after the recent rise in attacks and assaults on nurses in health facilities. 
This call was made by the Gauteng Department of Health's Head of Department, Lesiba Malotana during the International Nurses Day commemorative event, which was held at Heidelberg Hospital on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, under the theme "Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies."
"Across our country and even here in Gauteng, nurses are being attacked and assaulted while on duty. Just last month, another shameful incident was reported at a primary healthcare clinic. 
"This is unacceptable. We must say it loud and clear, an attack on a nurse is an attack on the entire health system. I call on our communities to stand up and protect our healthcare workers. Let us make every clinic, every hospital, a place of safety and healing," said Malotana, calling on the public to stand up for healthcare workers. 
Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, they play a critical role in counselling and educating patients and their families about their health conditions, available treatment plans, and self-care strategies. This year's theme not only celebrates and appreciates nurses but calls for the protection and investment in the nursing fraternity to ensure a healthy workforce. 
Referring to the World Health Organisation's State of the World's Nursing 2025 Report, Malotana highlighted a projected global shortfall of 7.6 million nurses, a crisis that also affects Gauteng.
In response to this, the National Department of Health has committed to recruiting 200 additional nurses in the coming months as part of the Human Resources for Health Strategy 2030, of which Malotana described as a vital investment in both healthcare delivery and staff well-being. "A well-staffed hospital is a healing hospital," he said, stressing the need to reduce workloads and prevent burnout.
In addition, Malotana praised nurses alluding that we cannot speak of Universal Health Coverage without acknowledging the central role of nurses, and that primary healthcare is largely driven by nurse. 
"To all our nurses here today, and across our province, we say thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your care. Thank you for your sacrifices," he added. 
Prof. Kholofelo Matlhaba, Associate Professor at the University of South Africa highlighted the need to improve working conditions for nurses to retain talent and meet national health goals. 
"Nurses are overworked, underpaid and expected to provide quality care. If we want to retain quality and skilled nurses, we need to provide good working conditions and offer competitive salaries. If we want to achieve Universal Health Coverage, we must remember that nurses are the centre of it all," said Prof. Matlhaba. 
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