Nigerian sisters shed light on challenging conditions health care workers endure

The pressure on the health system has been an ongoing issue that was brought to the attention of the public in July, 2021, when nurses and midwives called on the government to implement nurse-to-patient ratios and again in March, 2022, when nurses across the state went on strike.

Nwanyi Njoku and Chinyere Okpara moved to the Bega Valley with their families two years ago, each picking up a job in the healthcare department.

Ms Njoku currently works as a carer at Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care, where she strives to develop meaningful and quality care.

Looking back on the last two years and the strain COVID-19 has put on healthcare workers, Ms Njoku said it often meant working long shifts in uncomfortable and restrictive personal protective equipment (PPE).

"COVID is emotionally upsetting for everyone, but especially for residents with dementia, they are confused and don't recognise anyone in PPE, so they can sometimes be very scared," Ms Njoku said.

"Working all shifts in PPE is a challenge. I get constant headaches, have difficulty breathing and feel the heat.

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"Particularly in Summer when you're giving personal care like showering and dressing someone while you're effectively wearing two sets of clothes - that's difficult."

Her sister, Ms Okpara, a surgical ward nurse assigned to the South East Regional Hospital Ward said she too found PPE uncomfortable to work in.

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"We completed each shift in full PPE - it was hot, uncomfortable and hard to breathe in when working," Ms Okpara said.

"Life for the patients in the COVID ward was tough. Everyone is fighting for every breath."

Ms Okpara said COVID patients often suffered from feeling isolated as they weren't allowed any visitors.

"You give all you can, or as much as you would like to give, but it is never enough," she said.

Ms Okpara said her faith as a Jehovah's Witness had helped her maintain a positive outlook for the future during their work.

"I value my Bible-based hope for a better future and know how precious good health is to life and happiness," she said.

Ms Okpara said her experience with COVID-related deaths in the Bega Valley has made her appreciate life and how quickly it can be taken away from people.

"It was a privilege to be able to support those who needed it so much in their time in the hospital," she said.

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The sisters said they provided the most positive level of care they could muster, even during demanding circumstance.

Ms Njoku said she considered it a privilege to care for her patients and act as a close and caring figure in their lives.

"We are often the only ones able to act as family at their end of life if their family can't get there. It is a privilege to be there with them and we feel close to all of our residents," she said.

Both sisters, along with more than 8.5 million Jehovah's Witnesses around the world, are inviting all members of the public to their annual Memorial of Jesus' Death in a bid to share their faith and some hope to others.

This meeting will be held at 7pm on April 15, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Max Slater Drive, Bega.