From a young age, Elizma Appollis displayed a natural inclination towards caring for others. Her compassion and eagerness to help was evident. Initially aspiring to be a paediatrician, life’s circumstances led her to the noble path of nursing.
Growing up as the only daughter among three children, Appollis’s early years were spent in Paarl before her family moved to Wellington in the Western Cape when she was ten.
These early years were filled with joy and simplicity, marked by games and familial bonds. She fondly remembers the musical evenings with her family, singing until late at night under the streetlights. However, her childhood wasn’t without its challenges.
After hardship follows healthcare
Her parent’s separation meant frequent relocations, leading her to attend seven different schools. This constant change made her “the new kid” multiple times, presenting obstacles and opportunities. Despite these challenges, Appollis found her calling in healthcare.
“I just developed this type of want to care for people. If someone got hurt I was nosy to find out what happened,” she says.
An advertisement in a newspaper about nursing training was a turning point in her life. “My mother came home with a newspaper with an advertisement about Mediclinic offering nursing as a learning place,” she recalls.
Her journey began in 2008 at the Mediclinic Learning Centre in Bellville, where she completed her practical hours at Mediclinic Louis Leipoldt. In 2015, she seized an opportunity to specialise in midwifery, embarking on a transformative journey.
The joys of childbirth
Bringing life into the world brought her unparalleled joy, job satisfaction, and a profound sense of pride. For Appollis as a midwife, the most rewarding moments are those shared with parents during the first cries of their newborns.
“Often you find the father and the mother in tears, just that relief of ‘thank God it’s over’ and you have that feeling of success just to hear that baby cry,” she shares with pride.
According to Appollis, the support provided to expectant mothers is crucial. Effective communication and preparation help them understand and anticipate the stages of labour, making the experience smoother for both the mother and the midwife.
A challenging time in her career was when she was appointed as the first nurse in the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 in the Drakenstein sub-district. “I had to do site visits to quarantine and isolation facilities at the time at Middleplaas Guest House and Bienne Donne Cultural Centre in Simondium,” she recalls.
“I wasn’t afraid to accept the challenge and just go head-on into this new disease, whatever it was.”
Despite being on maternity leave with a newborn baby herself just a month before the national lockdown, she answered the call to duty.
Overcoming adversity
The early days of the pandemic were marked by fear and uncertainty, especially dealing with an unknown virus. Every day was a challenge, not just professionally but personally as well. For Appollis, the emotional toll of the pandemic was significant, with the loss of four family members and friends. Despite this, she continued her work with unwavering commitment.
In January 2021 she started her journey in primary healthcare at Dalvale Clinic and Well Baby Clinic.
“This is where my love for primary care actually started to deepen and develop more. I just thought, ‘This is what I want to do. This is where I belong’.”
Working in primary care comes with significant challenges, especially the high patient-to-staff ratio. Clinics often see over 100 patients daily, with only a few staff members to provide care. Despite these challenges, Appollis’s dedication and compassion drive her to provide the best care possible, reflecting her deep commitment to her patients.
Currently, she’s a student specialising in primary care nursing at Stellenbosch University while working part-time.
Appollis dreams of opening a women’s health clinic, focusing primarily on maternal health but also broadening horizons to provide comprehensive care. The clinic, she says, would be open during hours when local clinics are typically closed, accommodating working individuals.
Beyond her professional life, she comes from a very musical family, with singing a natural and integral part of her upbringing.
“Singing in church on Sundays and during my spare time provides me with strength and motivation. If life gets too much, that’s what I do. I sing, and the very song I sing gives me strength to move on to the next day,” she says.
She urges her colleagues in healthcare to never let a crisis change who they are. “Care for your patients, their families, and the people you work with. Most importantly, practise self-care to ensure you are healthy enough to care for others,” Appollis advises.
Listen to the full interview on the Health For Mzansi podcast:
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