
By Nina Digiglio
Local Registered Nurse. Clinical Nurse Consultant
2020 was supposed to be the start of a new decade. A decade of hope and promise, a decade where change was imminent, but no- one expected the kind of change we have been handed collectively.
Reflections during the Pandemic. Given this situation humanity finds itself in what does it mean and what lessons can we extract from the experience to enable a better humanity to arise at this time?
A “Culture Shift” is staring at us in the face. Creating a culture of compassion, kindness, acceptance of differences, generosity and greater mutual international respect would be a calling worth pursuing at this time. What about the idea of just “Choosing to GIVE” Some of our most vulnerable on the planet, the Refugees, our African neighbours , our Indigenous peoples and those in war torn countries where much of the destruction have been caused by the first world ethos… Greed, Power, money and domination!
For too long we have watched these countries struggling yet, we persist in reducing our International financial obligation. We have the capacity to dispatch, health, education, construction, military and welfare personnel yet choose not to do it. We have wealthy churches who profess to follow Christ who keep the wealth within the church when they could choose to share the wealth out to these countries. It is a choice and we choose not to commit to share our wealth collectively. If the Pandemic helps us to make better choices by helping our fellow man then that would create a universal state of happiness joy and love would it not? As Ghandi said “THE BEST WAY TO FIND YOURSELF IS TO LOSE YOURSELF IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.”
ECONOMIC GENEROSITY How about instead of funding arms and weapons we ask better questions. Why can we not fund our most vulnerable? Why can’t we fund programs for better Housing, Education and the most glaring one at this time Health care? Here at home our Indigenous communities deserve more investment, care and resources to support their health, education and employment prospects. It’s a choice the Government just will not make, and that is to put our tax dollars to investing in our amazing Indigenous communities that enrich and colour our world with culture, spirituality, art, food and a culture, the oldest known and like nowhere else in the world!
SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS & CLIMATE JUSTICE Investing in renewable, solar and battery storage projects will reduce carbon emissions and reduce the impact of our other impending environmental pandemic Climate Change! In Australia our climate has warmed to +1 degree heading quickly to +2 degrees since 1910. This has led to increase in the frequency of extreme heat events. Oceans around us have warmed to +1 Degree contributing to longer marine heat waves and increased acidity of the water causing untold damage to our marine life. There has been a decrease in rainfall impacting our farmers and food productivity and quality. Adding to this Australia has had the worst fire season in history and yet Governments still choose to invest in the fossil fuel industry. Again, it’s about choices Governments make in how money is directed. What if Governments truly invested in long term sustainable energy projects where the general public can save money on their power bills utilising our God given natural resources? Imagine how much cleaner our environment would be? Imagine how people will be able to use power guilt free without counting the cost. Imagine the long-term sustainable benefits for all people not just those that can afford it. This excites me and drives me into the political arena to speak about changing the old system that serves the privileged dare I say ‘OLD WHITE MAN’ world. For far too long they have chosen for me, many, many women and children on what they think we deserve.
We have never had a good say on what women and children truly deserve as we evolve and take our place in society. It is time for us women, ALL Women of differing colour and culture to speak up for themselves and their children to have a say in creating a better system where society is truly generous, kind and compassionate. A world free of male violence and misogyny. A world where women and children are valued just as much as men. A world where women are provided opportunities to use their talents and given the honour they deserve for their efforts. A world where children and our youth are provided with free education and health care without the stress of paying the Governments back who choose to give tax breaks to those that vote for them. A world where Governments listen to our young climate hero’s and action their requests. A world that has more meaning than how many houses or cars you have. A world where what matters are your values and how you made a difference to society. A world where kindness and compassion are the mainstays of our very existence. Call me a dreamer but I know I am not the only one!
HEALTH FOR ALL Now we have the Corona Virus pandemic on our hands it is timely to look at the health system, the way it is funded, how it is resourced and the outcomes it provides.
If health care is to be properly provided to all people, we need to really recognise the different types of people in society first.
We have the elderly, Children, People with a Disability, First nations people, vulnerable people who are homeless, refugee health , people with long term chronic diseases, people with poor health outcomes due to mental health or drug & alcohol addictions. Not one size fits all when it comes to health. Each person and group cohort requires differing needs and resources. The health system must recognise this and communicate to the Government what is required to produce outcomes that benefit each group, and Governments need to fund each cohort in such a way that quality of life outcomes is a guarantee. It’s not a numbers game based on data. It’s about the person, their story, their life and helping them get back on track or if they are at the end of life, are provided with the medication, staff and resources to ensure their dignity. It’s not about life at any cost. It’s about care, compassion, choices and dignity along the health journey. Sadly, what I have observed as a nurse for over 30 years is discrimination in the system especially toward our first nations people and our most vulnerable. Most of my colleagues are amazing humanitarians giving their heart and soul to their profession, but the nonsense of poor staffing levels, poor pay and putting up with outdated resources and equipment needs to stop. The Pandemic has taught us that investment in health and our hospitals is necessary and I must say the preparedness I have observed over the past few months is outstanding. The pressure this pandemic has put on the Government to provide the equipment and resources so that staff can effectively do their work has been unprecedented. The only thing left to do is pay the Nurses what they are worth not what the Government think they are worth, because saving lives is worth far more than a footy player can offer at times of crisis.. Just saying!!!
In Primary Health our Doctors and Nurses have sourced their own PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) from Bunnings… of all places at the start of the Pandemic. It took several weeks before the Governments put any real money in providing PPE to our Health workers. I can say now after speaking to my colleagues that there is a good amount of equipment for them now. Again, the pressure from the grassroots health professionals were able to influence the politicians to allocate money where it mattered. If they can do this now, then they can do it always. This pandemic has shown me that Health has a great deal of influence in fostering systemic change. I just hope that when the dust settles, we never go back to what was. I hope that the systemic rot, the cancerous political core will now listen to the people that matter most!!
By Nina Digiglio
Shoalhaven Nurse Consultant RN
Shoalhaven City Councillor
A beautifully articulate vision of how the world could be, a world changed for the better by the pandemic experience, where the wellbeing of all people and of the natural world are valued and form the basis for all our societal decision making.In times like these a manifesto of hope is needed more than ever before.