Provincial Cecilia Makiwane Award Ceremony

The annual Cecilia Makiwane Awards ceremony was held on 24 October 2005 at the Zevenwacht Wine Estate. The coordinators pulled out all the stops to once again honor and recognize the exceptional and hard work done by nurses in and around public health facilities.

Pierre Uys, Minister of Health in the Western Cape, as well as Prof. Craig Househam, the Head of the Department of Health, attended the function and both stressed that "we have to look after our nurses." A great cousin of Cecelia Makiwane delivered a brief background on the award but most of all gave the listeners a personal side of Cecilia Makiwane.

This year's Provincial Cecilia Makiwane award was awarded to Pauline Collins, Senior Enrolled Nurse - Mitchell's Plain Community Health Centre.

Nurse Collins walked away with the prized honor because of her positive contribution towards cervical screening and HIV/Aids. Her attitude and effective time management led to an increase of the uptake of pap smears. She is not only seen as a nurse but also as a friend and patients feel comfortable in discussing personal/sensitive issues with her.

Within the community Nurse Collins is responsible for the counselling of substance abuse, termination of pregnancy (TOP), grief and HIV/Aids. She also did research within her community and established that teenage pregnancies occur as a result of school camps and intervened by consulting with various schools. She is now assisting with information sessions at the schools regarding the prevention of pregnancy and safer sex. She has also implemented a TOP support group for colleagues.

She is involved in various community projects such as the Police Forum, support groups for women abuse, rape survivors, child -and drug abuse and HIV/Aids. Through her involvement in the Urban Renewal programme/ road-calming project she was rewarded with R30 000. Through being actively involved in these programmes Nurse Collins was also awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award earlier this year.

The second prize winner, Dianne Powell - Chief Professional Nurse hails from Groote Schuur Hospital.

Because of her passion for eye care and her years of experience in the field she was requested to lecture to the Post basic diploma Ophthalmic nursing science students at the University of Cape Town. Nurse Powell has been delegated as the Eye Project Manager to set up Ophthalmic care at Primary and District level and assist with programmes at Provincial level. Her dynamic approach towards nursing is comprehensive and in her deliberation with clients she also addresses issues such as HIV/Aids, Abuse and counselling. Nurse Powell has also implemented a national screening of diabetic support groups to ensure early detection of Diabetic Retina Ophthalmic.

Magdalena Southon, Chief Professional Nurse of Macassar Community Health Centre was awarded the third prize for her 35 years contribution to health. Throughout her career she held the position of acting Facility Manager. Nurse Southon was the first registered nurse to open a Day Hospital in the Macassar area. Under Nurses Southon's management the facility was awarded the Baby-friendly award as well as the Ikwezi award for being a Youth-friendly facility. While being a member of the Vincent De Paul society, who sees to the need of the physical and spiritual well being of the community, she also motivates patients and educates them around the importance of the compliance to treatment.