Innovative Research Award

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike – University of Pretoria, South Africa

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike is a South African nursing professional, occupational health practitioner, nurse educator, and bioethics specialist affiliated with the University of Pretoria. Her academic and professional activities focus on occupational health, nursing ethics, healthcare quality, rural health systems, patient safety, and evidence-based nursing practice. Through clinical service, educational leadership, and emerging scholarly contributions, she has developed expertise relevant to contemporary healthcare challenges and nursing policy development.[1]

Abstract

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike has developed a multidisciplinary professional profile integrating nursing practice, occupational health, healthcare ethics, education, and rural healthcare research. Her work addresses healthcare quality, workforce wellbeing, patient safety, and ethical challenges within resource-constrained environments. Her published research on nurses’ experiences in water-scarce healthcare clinics contributes to understanding healthcare delivery challenges in South Africa and supports evidence-informed policy and professional practice improvements.[2]

Keywords

Nursing Science, Occupational Health Nursing, Bioethics, Rural Healthcare, Healthcare Quality, Patient Safety, Nursing Education, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Policy, Clinical Leadership.

Introduction

The nursing profession increasingly requires practitioners who combine clinical expertise with ethical leadership, occupational health knowledge, educational competence, and research engagement. Ralehike’s professional development reflects this interdisciplinary approach through service in critical care, occupational health, nursing education, and healthcare management. Her academic progression includes advanced qualifications in nursing education, labour law, disaster management, HIV and TB management, occupational health nursing, and bioethics, supporting a broad perspective on healthcare systems and workforce development.[1][2]

Research Profile

As a PhD candidate in Nursing Science at the University of Pretoria, Makhotso Merriam Ralehike focuses on nursing ethics, occupational health, healthcare quality, rural health systems, and patient-centered care. Her academic interests emphasize ethical responsibilities within healthcare environments, particularly where infrastructure limitations influence professional practice and patient outcomes. Her educational background provides a foundation for examining healthcare challenges through clinical, legal, ethical, and organizational perspectives.[1]

Research Contributions

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike’s principal scholarly contribution investigates the lived experiences of nurses working in healthcare clinics affected by water scarcity within the Maluti-A-Phofung district of South Africa. The study explores how environmental and infrastructural limitations affect healthcare delivery, professional obligations, and patient care standards. By documenting frontline nursing experiences, the research contributes evidence relevant to healthcare planning, nursing regulation, occupational wellbeing, and service quality improvement initiatives.[2]

Publications

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike’s most significant publication examines nurses’ lived experiences within healthcare clinics experiencing water scarcity in South Africa’s Free State Province. The study highlights ethical responsibilities, operational challenges, healthcare quality concerns, and workforce resilience in resource-constrained settings while providing evidence relevant to nursing policy, occupational health, healthcare infrastructure planning, and patient safety improvements across underserved communities.[2]

Research Impact

The practical relevance of Ralehike’s research lies in its focus on real-world healthcare challenges affecting nurses and patients in rural and resource-limited environments. Her work contributes to broader discussions concerning healthcare equity, workplace conditions, ethical accountability, and sustainable healthcare delivery. Such evidence supports policymakers, healthcare managers, educators, and practitioners seeking improvements in healthcare infrastructure and service provision.[2]

Award Suitability

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike demonstrates attributes aligned with recognition under the International Phenomenological Research Awards through her investigation of lived professional experiences in healthcare settings. Her interdisciplinary expertise spanning nursing science, occupational health, ethics, and education supports research that addresses human experiences within complex healthcare environments. The phenomenological orientation of her published work and its relevance to healthcare practice, policy, and professional wellbeing provide a strong basis for consideration within research recognition initiatives.[2]

Conclusion

Makhotso Merriam Ralehike represents an emerging nursing scholar whose professional experience, advanced academic preparation, and healthcare research collectively contribute to nursing science and occupational health practice. Her focus on ethical healthcare delivery and lived experiences within resource-constrained clinical environments supports ongoing efforts to improve healthcare quality, workforce wellbeing, and evidence-based policy development in South Africa.[1][2]

External Links

• ORCID Profile

References

1. ORCID. (n.d.). Makhotso Merriam Ralehike – ORCID Profile. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2006-366X
2. Ralehike, M.M., Mulaudzi, M.F., Sepeng, N.V., & Nyandeni, S. (2026). Lived experience of nurses working in healthcare clinics that are experiencing water scarcity, in Maluti-A-Phofung district, Free State Province, South Africa. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2026.101114