The Eastern Cape Provincial Government through the Department of Health has strengthened frontline healthcare services at Dora Nginza Regional Hospital, in Gqeberha in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, following the appointment of 19 new nurses who officially assumed duty recently.

The new intake includes six Specialised Professional Nurses, nine General Professional Nurses, two Enrolled Nurses and two Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries. Together, they bring additional skills, experience and capacity to the hospital’s nursing teams. Their arrival means that responsibilities can be shared across a larger team, providing additional support to healthcare workers already serving patients every day.

This is particularly important in a busy regional hospital where teams attend to patients with a range of healthcare needs. For patients, having more nurses on the frontline means increased capacity to provide care and support at the bedside. The additional staff will contribute to key areas of service delivery, including emergency, maternity, neonatal and paediatric care. The specialised nurses will also strengthen areas that require specific nursing competencies, bringing additional expertise to the hospital’s clinical teams.

The appointments are part of broader efforts by the Department of Health to address staffing pressures and ensure that healthcare workers have the support they need to provide quality services to communities. While staffing challenges remain an ongoing concern, each new appointment makes a meaningful contribution to strengthening the health system.

For the hospital, the new nursing complement represents more than just additional staff. It means stronger teams, shared responsibilities and increased capacity to respond to the needs of patients who rely on Dora Nginza for specialised and referral services.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health welcomes the 19 nurses to Dora Nginza Regional Hospital and wishes them well as they begin their new roles. Their contribution will form part of the continued work to strengthen frontline healthcare services and support the dedicated healthcare professionals serving communities across the province.