Nurses at Swakopmund State Hospital have been reminded to dedicate themselves to their work selflessly, despite the challenges they encounter.

As the world marks International Nurses Day, coastal state facilities face challenges, including a lack of equipment, medicine and staff shortages.

At Swakopmund State Hospital, health professionals depicted some of these challenges in a dramatic performance.

The play portrayed a range of scenarios involving difficult patients who default on their medication, as well as hard-working, lazy, and rude nurses as they served the community.

Representing the Erongo Governor, Swakopmund Mayor Blasius Goreseb pledged his support to the nurses.

"I know that sometimes you work under difficult conditions where resources are limited, with difficult community members as well as uncooperative patients. As governor, I assure you of my support and that your concerns, your voices and your needs will always find a place in our programmes and other interventions."

The governor thanked the nurses for their sacrifices, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they risked their lives and worked long hours to serve those affected by the virus.