SHE is passionate about patient care and seeing patients recover gives her joy.
But while living out her passion, health worker Nyakallo Tsotetsi got infected with Covid-19.
The 30-year-old told Daily Sun she’s been a nurse for nine years and is based in the dental unit at Intercare Wilgeheuwel.
“I went into nursing because I have always loved helping people,” she said.
“I always pray not to lose a patient I’m treating.”
She said she went into a state of shock when the country was hit by Covid-19 last year.
“Patients were scared and confused. The atmosphere was quiet in the hospital as we all wondered what would happen.”
Nyakallo said she tested positive for Covid-19 in June.
She said: “I was sent home as one of the staff members I worked closely with tested positive. I didn’t show any symptoms. I began to show symptoms a few days later while isolating at home. My test results came back positive.”
She said she was scared of dying.
“It was tough. I couldn’t taste or smell anything. I steamed a lot and took various vitamin supplements.
“I went into a state of depression but survived through prayer,” she said.
After her recovery, Nyakallo said her colleagues were scared to get close to her but things gradually got better.
She’s among the health workers who got the Covid-19 jab early last month at Netcare Milpark Hospital.
“I was sceptical of taking the vaccine at first because of some of the negative things shared surrounding the vaccine,” said Nyakallo.
“But I knew it was the right thing to do. I now feel free and I carry on with my duties without fear because I know I’m protected.
“I urge people not to discourage and bring fear to those willing to take the vaccine.”
