Strategies to Address the Mental Health Burden of Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Africa

Authors

  • Aishwarya Kulkarni Western University
  • Angelo Ricci Western University
  • Malcolm Leaman Western University
  • Emily Kidd Western University
  • Shara Thomas Western University
  • Uche Ikenyei Western University

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a burden on healthcare systems in South Africa. This has added huge pressure on frontline healthcare workers, especially nurses, who maintain workplace safety and oversee the efficient use of resources. Prior to the pandemic, South Africa had a healthcare worker density above the WHO recommendations but faced a labour shortage due to healthcare worker emigration, with nearly 20% of public sector nurses leaving the country. In addition to this severe shortage of staff, insufficient personal protective equipment and declining wages led to increased infections, mental health distress, and poor employee morale among nurses during the pandemic. However, by following a modified response strategy similar to Peru’s, which aims to isolate COVID-19 epicenters and utilize task shifting through community health workers, South Africa can alleviate the current nursing overburden by reducing mental health distress – overall improving the country's Human Resources for Health.

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Published

2021-09-29

How to Cite

Kulkarni, A., Ricci, A., Leaman, M., Kidd, E., Thomas, S., & Ikenyei, U. (2021). Strategies to Address the Mental Health Burden of Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Africa. Global Health: Annual Review, 1(6). Retrieved from https://journals.mcmaster.ca/ghar/article/view/2673