Healthy and valued health workers are essential to save health systems in sub-Saharan Africa

Geneva, Switzerland (1 December 2005) — Health workers* in sub-Saharan Africa have been extremely hard hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Infected and affected at the same devastating rate as the general population in their countries, they care for their ill patients, often in extremely difficult working conditions. At the same time their communities look to them for ongoing leadership and care. If these key workers are not tended to the collapse of health systems is inevitable.

“Health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing a hemorrhage of health workers. Many are migrating and still others are sick and dying from AIDS and tuberculosis. All HIV positive health workers need attention and care now”, according to Hiroko Minami, President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN). “Treating HIV positive health workers will go a long way to keeping them healthy, in their jobs and in their country, allowing for a strengthened health care workforce, better able to meet the enormous health needs and addressing the serious health worker retention crisis in Africa.”

One of the principal barriers to health workers taking up HIV related testing and treatment is that to access these services they must “stand in the same queue” and at the same health care facilities as their patients, which undermines the relationship of trust and authority fundamental to their effectiveness in health care. As well, health workers experience tremendous stress as they cope with enormous disease burdens, limited resources and respond to community needs in their off work time. A separate service for them, that addresses their particular needs, is required and can easily be delivered by nurses.

Swaziland leads the way

ICN is pleased to announce that the Swaziland Nurses Association will deliver the first HIV and TB Wellness Centre of Excellence for HIV positive health workers and their immediate families. This first centre, supported in part by the Danish Nurses Organization, will be housed in a building provided by the Swaziland Nurses Association and will deliver comprehensive HIV and TB treatment, health services and training for all infected health workers and their families. Phase 2 of this programme will see the Government of Swaziland roll out such centres throughout the country, as a key component of the Health Sector Response to HIV/AIDS spearheaded by the Swaziland National AIDS Programme (SNAP).

ICN is also working with the Zambian Nurses Association and the Norwegian Nurses Association to initiate a similar programme in Zambia in the near future and hopes to see treatment and services for HIV positive health workers rolled out throughout sub-Saharan Africa. There is no time to waste.

*Refers to all categories of health workers: nurses, pharmacists, physicians, dentists, kitchen and maintenance staff, etc.

Editor’s note:
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of 129 national nurses’ associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses for nurses since 1899, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

For further information contact:
Linda Carrier-Walker
Tel: +41 22 908 0100
Fax: +41 22 908 0101
Email: carrwalk@icn.ch
ICN Website: www.icn.ch

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