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A calling to help others

Elizabeth Joseph



Her journey

After doing her training at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, she did her diploma in general nursing. Right after that Coetzee did her diploma in midwifery.

She then worked at Tygerberg in the heart unit and the surgical ICU and at various companies, including the Rössing mine, the Gobabis clinic, Marie Douglas Heim in Swakopmund and the Windhoek Mediclinic.

“I also worked for the Cancer Association of Namibia for 13 years and I feel like this is where I became more passionate about people,” she says.

Coetzee describes her job as a calling to help people who are not well and who need care.

She also educates people to live healthy lifestyles and take certain precautions.

“My job is to assist people with wound care, contraception management, baby clinics and vaccinations. I help with the chemo infusions. I also assist the doctor with minor procedures and electrocardiography (ECG). I do wellness clinics together with Nammed and I find it very interesting,” she says.

Struggles and triumphs

“Nursing have a lot of challenges because when people, when they are sick, are feeling vulnerable and that can change their personality.

“You then have to be patient and understanding. Another challenge is ‘Dr Google’, because people can get the wrong information and think they know better than the healthcare professionals,” she said. when describing some of her challenges.

Some of her accomplishments include giving people with a stoma the peace to live with it and making them feel safe and normal, and also making people more aware of cancer prevention and early detection.

A typical day

There is no typical days in the clinic Coetzee says.

“We have chemo patients early morning who will received their infusion that can last anything from two to four hours. Sometimes I have a wellness clinic scheduled for the morning. Most patients make an appointment for whatever services they need e.g. vaccination, wound care, ECG and some patients walk in without an appointment,” Coetzee adds.

She enjoys reading and walking with her walking group. She also recently started running because her children want them to do the Two Oceans Marathon together next year.

“Young people must make sure of their choices for their future. A career where you earn a big salary, but that does not make you happy, is not worth wasting your time and your future on. Money is important, but you need to do a job that is important to you and that also satisfies your inner-self,” she advises.