Inspiring journeys: the stories of RK Khan nurses who changed healthcare in South Africa
Having made an indelible mark in the healthcare sector, four retired nursing professionals shared their life’s journey, which started at RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth. They said taking up the profession had been service to humanity, rather than just a job. They also spoke on what needed to be done to improve the lives of nurses and patients in the public health sector
Nursing through apartheid: the inspiring story of Haniefa Bi “Honey” Allee
Haniefa Bi “Honey” Allee, of Glenwood, was one of the first 24 nurses to be trained at the hospital in February 1968. The hospital officially opened in March 1969.
She said her passion for helping others began as a young girl.
“My late father was a foreman on a farm. One of his duties was to give the labourers food rations on Saturdays. When they came to collect the food, I noticed children had sores or cuts. My late mother provided me with white material, which I used to bandage their wounds. I also did this for my family. I had this innate ability to play big sister to my 10 siblings. It was this and many other factors that inspired me to become a nurse,” she said.
Allee said after completing a three-year nursing course at the hospital, she went on to study midwifery at the Peninsula Maternity and Mowbray Maternity hospitals.
However, it was a challenge for her to get a permit to leave KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) due to her freedom fighting activities, she said.
At the time, Allee instigated a strike at the hospital after a matron, who wanted the same facilities for the Indian nurses, was going to be removed.
“However, I managed to leave and returned to the hospital to work in the labour ward in 1973.”
Allee said her main interest was nurse empowerment.
“While at the hospital, I represented the Muslim nurses in asking for permission to be allowed to wear pants-suits, while on duty. I became the first nurse to do this. I also stood firmly for Muslim girls to take on nursing as a profession. On many occasions, I went to homes asking that they allow their daughters to take up nursing.”
Allee said during this time, she was sought by the authorities due to her fight against apartheid. She decided to move to Texas, in the US, in 1975.
“I was being hunted by the police. It was difficult to visit my parents who lived in Pietermaritzburg, and going out in the evenings was also a problem. If I did, I would wear a cap, balaclava and a hooded jacket. I also did not congregate in public with my comrades. However, working abroad gave me the freedom to practice real nursing.”
Allee said in 1977, while on holiday in South Africa, her father passed away and she decided not to return to the US.
“However, I decided to continue working in the healthcare industry as an occupational health and safety nurse to avoid the then-government and police.”
In 1981, Allee became the first nurse of colour to serve on the South African Nursing Association. She thereafter became the first person of colour to chair the KZN branch of the South African Nursing Association.
“During this time, I worked tirelessly to convince the white nurses in KZN to accept that a United Nursing Association would benefit all nurses in South Africa.”
She remained in office for six years until the South African Nursing Association was changed to the Democratic Nursing Association of South Africa.
In 1989, she was elected as the first person of colour to serve on the South African Nursing Council, and in 1994, she became the first person of colour to be the chairperson of the Occupational Health Nurse Society in Durban.
In October 1996, Allee became a joint national board member of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa.
Allee said many nurses nowadays were not getting into the profession because it took passion to help others.
She said many lacked important qualities and abilities such as empathy, compassion, professionalism, competence, critical thinking and time management, among others.
“For many, nursing is not a calling, but a job that gives them a salary at the end of the month. Other nurses run on the smell of an oil rag and their ambition dwindles to say the least.”
Allee added the public healthcare sector needed an overhaul with material, financial and human resources, as well as adequate supplies.
“Patients and healthcare professionals need an environment that is fully-equipped, safe and clean, which unfortunately is not being provided to them.”
Allee, who has since retired, continues with her volunteerism.
She currently assists the Chatsworth Hospice and Islamic Medical Association, among other organisations.
“I am involved in their various outreach programmes, such as health education. I give lectures to women, children, prisoners and the elderly.”
The legacy of compassion: Ambigay Nair’s journey through 40 years of care
Ambigay Nair, 65, of Chatsworth, served as an enrolled nurse for more than 40 years before retiring in 2019.
She said she studied a two-year nursing course at the hospital in 1977.
“From a young age, I always dreamed of helping others. My elder sister was a nurse, and listening to her share her experiences inspired me to follow the same path, so I could fulfill my passion.
“After completing a nursing course in 1979, I started working as a qualified enrolled nurse at the hospital. I worked in various wards, from medical to surgical, paediatric, gynaecology, maternity and the intensive care unit (ICU),” she said.
Nair said she enjoyed working as a bedside nurse.
“I worked mainly in the ICU, where the patients were completely reliant on us. It required dedication and patience as some patients couldn’t talk as they were on ventilators.
“They needed constant care, from providing bed-baths to even having to turn the patients every hour or two to ensure they did not get bedsores. We also at times had to put them in an upright position, sometimes lofting them on our own. Our backs ached at the end of our 12-hour shifts, but we went home knowing we did our job to the best of our ability,” she said.
The mother-of-three added the work ethic of nurses back then was exceptional.
“It does trouble me when I see allegations of negligence at the hands of nurses nowadays. Back then we were committed, compassionate and diligent in our duties. We took pride in our work, and our primary focus was on providing high-quality patient care. We were dedicated to our patients, and worked tirelessly to ensure they received the best possible care.
“We were also inspired by our seniors, who were in fact our mentors. They educated us on how to nurse patients properly. We also knew every admitted patient’s name and ailment without having to look at their files. Every patient was treated with compassion,” she said.
Nair said while there were challenges, they persevered and found ways to overcome them.
“Some of the challenges we faced were limited resources, staffing shortages and inadequate facilities. Despite these challenges, we worked together as a team, shared our knowledge and skills, and supported one another through difficult times. We also developed creative solutions to problems such as improvising with limited resources and finding ways to prioritise patient care despite staffing shortages.”
Nair said the qualities of nurses back then were different.
“We read and hear about patients complaining about how they are treated in a public hospital. There seems to be a lack of compassion and communication. However, these are critically important qualities that a nurse should possess. They are dealing with vulnerable people who not only need medical care, but also emotional support.
“Nurses need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, families and healthcare teams. They also need to be able to analyse situations, make sound judgements, and take appropriate actions. Becoming a nurse is a commitment you make to help others,” she said.
Nair said there was a need to address the significant challenges faced by nurses and other healthcare professionals.
“One of the greatest challenges is the shortage of nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals. There are also inadequate equipment, supplies and facilities, which make it difficult for them to do their jobs efficiently. I believe if these challenges are addressed, we will see more efficiency in our public healthcare sector.”
The grandmother of four said after her retirement, she decided to start a group for retired nurses.
“There was a great sense of camaraderie among nurses. We were more like family due to spending long hours together. After I retired I missed my colleagues. With the support of my late husband, I decided to start the group and hosted many get-togethers.
“It has been a great success and brought so much joy to retired nurses, some who had not seen one another in over 20 years.”
Nair added despite being retired, she was often contacted for nursing advice.
“I am always willing to assist as I know that I am still able to make a difference in the lives of patients even though I am retired. Nursing was always my top priority and I am grateful to have had a fulfilling career.”
From an aspiring nurse to mental health advocate: Shamilla Jawahir's inspiring journey
Shamilla Jawahir, 64, of Chatsworth, said becoming a nurse was her childhood dream.
She studied at the hospital’s nursing campus in 1978.
“I was inspired by the white-clad nurses who treated me when I was in hospital as a child. I also always loved caring for the elderly, sick people and animals.”
Jawahir said after qualifying as a registered nurse, she furthered her studies in midwifery and psychiatry.
She said she worked at the hospital until 1993, and was thereafter transferred to the Chatsworth Psychiatric Clinic to practise as a psychiatric nurse.
“I provided specialised psychiatric mobile services to Marburg, Umzinto, Umkomaas, Isipingo and Merebank, among other areas. The services were outstanding under the House of Delegates management where patients were treated with dignity and rendered specialised care by qualified staff.”
Jawahir said she was instrumental in integrating a mental health facility at the hospital following her return in 2005.
“At the time there was a stigma surrounding mental illness. There was a fear of treating mentally-challenged patients with the general public. It was sad as mentally-challenged patients were not being admitted.
“Upon my return, I set up a private psychiatric ward and assisted the patients until psychiatrists were employed. Thereafter I assessed, diagnosed and counselled the patients before referring them to a psychiatrist,” she said.
Jawahir said the ethics of nurses back then differed to nowadays.
“Nurses then were more committed to providing quality nursing care. The nurses of our time thrived on respect, honesty and trust. We respected our seniors and patients. We made sure to get our work done on time. We spent more time on nursing patients, compared to nowadays where some nurses seem to spend more time doing other things than focusing on nursing.”
Jawahir said there were some challenges that needed to be addressed in the public healthcare sector.
“There was a shortage of staff, resulting in long waiting times for patients, which can be frustrating for psychiatric patients. There is also the lack of resources, and even basic items such as towels and bedlinen.”
Jawahir said she missed her colleagues and assisting patients since her retirement in 2021.
“In February 2020, I had a stroke at work. However, I was determined to return to work, especially for the sake of my psychiatric patients, with whom I shared very close relationships. They depended on me, and I couldn’t just leave them. In June 2021, I returned for a few months, before officially retiring.”
The mother of three added that her greatest achievements were helping psychiatric patients, and she was inspiring her children to take up the profession.
“All my children have followed in my footsteps and are registered nurses. I believe I have left a legacy, which they will uphold.”
The grandmother of four said in her retirement, she had continued with her community outreach programmes.
“I go into the community or speak at events creating awareness about mental health. I believe I still have a lot more to give back to our communities.”
Jane Lukhan’s journey: a lifelong commitment to nursing and community care
Jane Lukhan, of Kharwastan, said caring for her sick mother from a young age, sparked a deep passion in her to support and care for others.
Lukhan completed a three-year training diploma in nursing at RK Khan Hospital in 1982, and thereafter furthered her studies in midwifery, psychiatry and primary health care. She also obtained higher-level diplomas in occupational health and community health.
She served as a professional registered nurse at the hospital until 1991.
Lukhan said during this time she enjoyed the camaraderie with the colleagues, ongoing training and mentorship from senior matrons.
“It was a very happy and fulfilling experience. At that time you rarely heard any complaints against the staff, and medico-legal hazards were minimal. If we made the newspaper ‘headlines’, it was usually for something positive, unlike today. Furthermore, while we faced staffing shortages and limited resources, our passion, resilience and support from colleagues helped us cope.
“We also had great role-models, and one who truly inspired us and contributed to my success was a senior matron, Cinthamaney ‘CD’ Pillay. She was a visionary leader and iconic mentor, who empowered us to soar. Her unwavering support and guidance helped shape us into compassionate and confident nurses. I am forever grateful for her transformative impact on my life.”
Lukhan said after studying psychiatry she asked for a transfer to the Chatsworth Psychiatric Clinic where she worked until 1998. She thereafter worked as an occupational health and wellness practitioner at a bank, caring for employees across KZN until 2012.
Lukhan said she worked for the SABC as an occupational health and wellness practitioner until her retirement in 2015. The mother of two said she was concerned about overcrowding and dissatisfied healthcare professionals, many of whom were immigrating due to being overworked.
“There is definitely a crisis within our public healthcare sector, which needs to be tackled urgently. The government needs to address the staffing shortages, which will improve the staff-to-patient ratio. There is also a need for ongoing training of nurses, improvement of the infrastructure and more resources.”
Lukhan said in addition, nurses needed to possess better listening and communication skills, empathy, critical thinking and adaptability.
The grandmother of four said she continued to engage in various community upliftment projects.
“I enjoy my community work which includes providing health and wellness, health education and stress management programmes for various organisations.”