First cohort of 134 are expected to put their skills into practise at the sites from June 17
WITH shortages of healthcare workers and assistance needed across vaccine sites, a group of 267 UWC students will make history as the first nursing students in South Africa to be Covid-19 vaccinators.
The Western Cape Department of Health in collaboration with UWC have trained fourth-year nursing students who will now be added to the department’s armour in its fight against Covid-19.
They will be split into two groups and the first cohort of 134 are expected to put their skills into practise at the sites from June 17.
The group of students were introduced on Tuesday during a training wrap-up at Hazendal Wine Estate, Stellenbosch.
Their training started last month.
Student Jolindi Barkhuizen, 24, said she had mixed emotions of nervousness and excitement.
“I feel like all these years, this is what we were being prepared for and the training we received ahead of this programme also expanded our understanding about Covid-19 and vaccination.
“Being part of this group gives one a sense that they are contributing to a great cause in the country. We will be working with senior sister nurses which is nerve wrecking a bit but I won’t be too nervous to ask questions so that I learn a lot and don’t make silly mistakes.”
Another student, Chantall Miggel from Vredenburg in the West Coast, said she grew up enjoying caring for others and always looks forward to new experiences.
“I fell in love with nursing more just before my third year of studies after volunteering at a clinic in my community. Thinking about the programme initially made me overwhelmed but we are ready for the work and will go there open minded. We are ready to empower people the same way we have been.”
UWC Professor Jennifer Chipps in the faculty of Community and Health Sciences said they were keen to support the campaign and the university has also established an outreach vaccination centre that opened on Tuesday.
Juanita Arendse, project office lead for the vaccination mass campaign for the province, said: “The bottom line is that we need all the help we can get, whether it's the private sector or NGOs. We don’t have enough staff to cover everything in order for us to reach the five million people that need to be vaccinated for phase 2 and phase 3. With these students it will be all hands on deck and staff can also get relief because the same people who deal with vaccination also have to deal with general comprehensive health services. Remember also there is an anticipated third wave.”
Premier Alan Winde also welcomed the students and said as of June 2 the province vaccinator database identified a total of 5208 vaccinators, of which 3297 were trained.