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Some doctors and nurses in public healthcare institutions are reportedly working in cooperation with laboratory professionals to steer patients towards using specific private sector laboratories, despite the availability of similar services at lower costs in government-run facilities.
According to <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/doctors-nurses-milking-patients-through-syndicates/">The Herald</a>, some medical professionals have been observed recommending particular laboratories for various tests such as blood, urine or stool samples, and in many cases, even providing a contact number for someone who can collect the samples on the laboratory’s behalf.
The selected private laboratories are said to have staff on standby at hospitals, ready to quickly collect samples and return the results directly to the patient’s bedside.
The Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe has vowed to take action, as they believe the actions of the laboratories are exacerbating the financial burden on patients, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who may feel compelled to use the recommended private services.
Speaking at a Health Professions Authority familiarisation meeting between councils under its purview and the media on Tuesday, 06 August, the med lab council’s registrar, Agnes Chigora, said:
<blockquote>
If you go to Government institutions, at times you see motorbikes stationed there. Does that mean the public lab which is there is not offering those tests?
It seems they are working with other health practitioners, with nurses and doctors and they ensure that for any lab tests which are required, they demand that those tests come from specific laboratories.
As a client, if I send my parent to a public institution, it means that is what I can afford. But for someone to insist that they want a test done at a particular lab, which is very expensive, it’s not fair to our people.
</blockquote>
Chigora urged the public to report any instances of such malpractice to her offices or the Health Professions Authority.
She also warned medical practitioners involved in this practice that they could face disciplinary action.
Chigora asserted that the primary duty of doctors and nurses was to provide quality care to their patients, and this included making informed decisions about laboratory services that are in the best interest of the patient, not their financial gain.
To combat the corruption, Chigora said the council, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, would soon carry out a certification exercise for all laboratories to ensure that only those operating above board remained in operation. She said:
<blockquote>
At the advent of COVID-19, everybody thought it was time to make money; labs were opened right, left, and centre.
The Health Professions Authority does the routine inspection (of the labs), but we as a council, are going a step further.
We are moving around these institutions, making sure that the laboratories meet the minimum standards required.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in collaboration with the council, has come up with a national certification programme.
We have trained auditors who are going around laboratories and we have a certain level, which the labs have to reach.
</blockquote>
Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe registrar Alois Karonga said the council had received various reports of malpractices among pharmacists. He said:
<blockquote>
Issues of malpractices that the council has dealt with which are on the rise, among others, include dispensing prescription medicines without prescription from medical doctors, selling expired and unregistered medicines and leaving pharmacies operating without registered pharmacists.
These are some of the transgressions for which the council has brought pharmacists up for disciplinary inquiries.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Some doctors and nurses are teaming up with private labs to make patients use expensive services instead of using cheaper options in public hospitals. The labs have staff in hospitals to quickly collect samples and give results directly to patients. The Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe is taking action to stop this. They want patients to report any unfair practices. Doctors and nurses should focus on patient care, not making money. Councils will check labs to make sure they meet good standards. Some pharmacists are also doing bad things and will face consequences.

Doctors And Nurses Colluding With Private Labs To Rip Off Patients

The Ministry of Health and ChildCare has removed the prerequisite of passing O’ Level Mathematics for nurse training qualification.
In recent years, Zimbabweans pursuing the three-year Diploma in Registered General Nurse Training needed a minimum of five “O” Level subjects.
These subjects included English Language, Mathematics, a Science subject, and two additional subjects (excluding practical ones like Fashion and Fabrics, Metal Work, Graphic Art, Art, and Woodwork). The minimum grade required was a C or better, obtained from no more than two sittings.
Yet, an advertisement placed by the Ministry of Health in the Sunday papers on April 7, 2024, regarding the General Nurse Training May 2024 Intake, does not mention the Mathematics requirement.
As per the advertisement, applicants for the three-year Diploma Nurse Training must possess a minimum of five ‘0’ Level subjects.
These subjects should include passes in English Language, a Science subject, and three additional subjects (excluding practical ones like Fashion and Fabrics, Metal Work, Graphic Art, Art, and Woodwork). The required grade is C or better, obtained from no more than two sittings.
Additionally, the Ministry specified that applicants must be between 17 and 30 years old by May 13, 2024.
Medical professionals who spoke to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/ministry-of-health-scraps-o-level-maths-as-requirement-for-nurse-training/">ZimLive</a> expressed their apprehensions regarding the decision. A doctor who chose to remain anonymous said:
<blockquote>
This lowering of standards appears to be a targeted move to get people who don’t qualify to join the nursing profession, God knows for what reason.
Nurse training involves a wide range of mathematical concepts and skills, including number sense, measurement, and data analysis. A nurse recruited on what appears to be a purely political formula will be a danger to patients
</blockquote>
The advert says applicants must drop their application letters at their nearest general nurse training schools.
According to the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) <a href="https://nursescouncil.co.zw/ncz-training-institutions/">website</a>, nurse training institutions in the country are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Bindura Provincial Hospital</li>
<li>Bonda Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital</li>
<li>Chitungwiza General Hospital</li>
<li>Gwanda Provincial Hospital</li>
<li>Gutu Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Gweru General Hospital</li>
<li>Harare Central Hospital</li>
<li>Hwange Colliery Hospital</li>
<li>Imbizo Training School</li>
<li>Karanda Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Kwekwe General Hospital</li>
<li>Marondera General Hospital</li>
<li>Masvingo General Hospital</li>
<li>Mashoko Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Morgenster Memorial Hospital</li>
<li>Mpilo Central Hospital</li>
<li>Musiso Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Mutare General Hospital</li>
<li>Muvonde Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Parirenyatwa General Hospital</li>
<li>St Luke’s Mission Hospital</li>
<li>St Anne’s Mission Hospital</li>
<li>St Theresa Hospital</li>
<li>Tsholotsho District Hospital</li>
<li>United Bulawayo Hospitals</li>
</ul>
<h2>Midwifery Training Schools</h2>
<ul>
<li>Bindura Provincial Hospital</li>
<li>Bonda Mission</li>
<li>Chinhoyi Hospital</li>
<li>Chitungwiza General Hospital</li>
<li>Gwanda Provincial Hospital</li>
<li>Gweru General Hospital</li>
<li>Harare Central Hospital</li>
<li>Howard Hospital</li>
<li>Karanda Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Kwekwe General Hospital</li>
<li>Marondera General Hospital</li>
<li>Masvingo General Hospital</li>
<li>Mpilo Central Hospital</li>
<li>Murambinda Hospital</li>
<li>Mutambara Hospital</li>
<li>Mt Selinda Hospital</li>
<li>Nyadire Hospital</li>
<li>Parirenyatwa General Hospital</li>
<li>St Alberts Hospital</li>
<li>St Luke’s Mission Hospital</li>
<li>Kadoma Hospital</li>
</ul>
<h2>Primary Care Nurse Training Schools</h2>
<ul>
<li>Bonda Hospital</li>
<li>Gokwe Hospital</li>
<li>Howard Hospital</li>
<li>Maphisa Hospital</li>
<li>Mnene Hospital</li>
<li>Mt Darwin Hospital</li>
<li>Mt Selinda Hospital</li>
<li>Mt St Mary’s Hospital</li>
<li>Inyathi Hospital</li>
<li>Nkayi Hospital</li>
<li>Sanyati Hospital</li>
<li>Silveira Hospital</li>
<li>St Alberts Hospital</li>
<li>Tshelanyemba Hospital</li>
<li>Murambinda Hospital</li>
<li>Mutambara Hospital</li>
</ul>
<h2>State Certified Traumatology Nurse</h2>
<ul>
<li>Army Medical Training School</li>
</ul>
<h2>Psychiatric School</h2>
<ul>
<li>Ingutsheni Hospital</li>
<li>Parirenyatwa General Hospital</li>
</ul>
<h2>Post Graduate Schools of Nursing</h2>
<ul>
<li>Avenues Clinic</li>
<li>Parirenyatwa General Hospital</li>
<li>Harare General Hospital</li>
<li>United Bulawayo Hospitals</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Nurse Training In Zimbabwe No Longer Requires O’ Level Mathematics

General Nurse Training May 2024 Intake has now begun. The ministry of Health and Child Care are announced the intake in the Sunday papers on 7 April 2024.
The training intake advert reads:
 
<h2>May 2024 Intake </h2>
Applications for the three-year Diploma Nurse Training to be conducted by the Ministry of Health and Child Health Care (MoHCC) are invited from suitably qualified holders of the following qualifications.
<ul>
<li>– A minimum of 5’0′ Level subjects with passes in English Language, and a Science subject and three others (that exclude practical subjects which are Fashion and Fabrics, Metal Work, Graphic Art, Art and Woodwork) at Grade C or better obtained from not more than two sittings with full certificates as Examination Result Slips are not accepted.</li>
<li>– Must be aged between the ages of seventeen and half (17 1/2) and thirty (3o) years on the date of commencement of training. Candidates should not be less than 17 1/2 years and not more than 30 years by 13/05/2024.</li>
</ul>
The application letters must be submitted not later than 21 April 2024 at the nearest General Nurse Training School and addressed to, either
<ul>
<li>– the Principal Tutor of a Central Hospital,</li>
<li>– and Senior Tutor ln Charge of a District Mission or Provincial Hospital General Nurse Training School.</li>
</ul>
For the shortlisted candidates, the following should be presented at Interview:
<ul>
<li>– original and certified copies of Birth Certificate.</li>
<li>– National Identity Card,</li>
<li>– Ordinary Level Certificates,</li>
<li>– Marriage Certificate where applicable,</li>
<li>– Advanced Level Certificate if attained</li>
<li>– and 2 passport size pictures with the applicants name at the back.</li>
</ul>
Manual verification of the academic and identification Certificates will be done on the day of Interviews.
Only candidates who meet the recruitment criteria will be shortlisted for interviews. The interviews will be conducted at the nearest General Nurse Training School where a candidate has applied. Successful candidates will be deployed to schools where training posts exist throughout the country.
NB: The Public is hereby Informed and warned that the Ministry of Health and Child Care does not advertise through any other media except the newspapers and does not charge any fee.
<ul>
<li>NO THIRD PARTIES HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO RECRUIT ON BEHALF OF MoHCC </li>
<li>“Zero Tolerance to Corruption in Student Nurse Recruitment”</li>
</ul>

Nurse Training in Zimbabwe: May 2024 Intake

The Health Apex Council, which is the union representing nurses and doctors employed by the government, on Tuesday said its members will embark on a strike from 29 February to 02 March if the Health Service Commission continues ignoring their grievances over low salaries.
In a letter to the commission, the council said health workers have become incapacitated as their meagre salaries have been eroded by hyperinflation. The letter reads in part:
<blockquote>
Ref: Incapacitation of health workers.
Dear Sir
The above subject refers that: the health workers as an essential service are incapacitated by the volatile economic environment which is characterized by the loss of value of the ZWL, price disparities and distortions, and hyperinflation.
The health apex panel has on numerous occasions written to the employer highlighting the plight of health workers. Sadly, to this day nothing has materialized.
Health workers are severely affected by the following reasons as already raised in the position paper:
1. Non-engagement of health workers on remuneration and conditions of service.
2. Exclusion of health workers on the April 2023 cost of living adjustment.
3. Non-review of health sector-specific allowances.
4. Very low basic salary, housing and transport allowances which are now less than USD 10 combined at the prevailing interbank market.
4. Poor grading among health workers.
5. Non-benefiting from non-monetary incentives, no vehicle loan, review downwards of the vehicle rebate amounts.
6. Non-benefiting from PSMAS as a medical aid.
7. Non-availability of tools of trade i.e. equipment, medicines, and surgical supplies.
The health workers are formally giving a 48-hour written notice (from Monday the 26th of February 2024 to Wednesday the 28th of February 2024) for a collective job action in terms of section 16(2)(b) and (c) of the Health Services Act.
The collective job action will commence on Thursday the 29th of February 2024 and end on Saturday the 2nd of March 2024 if the grievances have not been addressed.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Nurses, Doctors Announce Two-day Strike Over Low Salaries

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, with support from the World Health Organisation, its partners and the UK’s Fleming Fund, has introduced an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) module in the nursing school curriculum for registered general nurses, primary care nurses, and midwifery, beginning in 2024, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/new-module-added-to-nursing-curriculum/">The Herald</a>.
As of November 2023, seven experts had trained a total of 106 registered nurses, primary care nurses, and midwifery educators from the country’s northern and southern regions on topics such as AMR in HIV, AMR in malaria, AMR in fungal, AMR in bacteria, sample collection, the role of nurses in the fight against AMR, the structure of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and antimicrobial stewardship.
The acting WHO representative in Zimbabwe, Professor Jean-Marie Dangou, said WHO supported the training of 106 nursing educators on effectively delivering the new AMR module. He said:
<blockquote>
Recognising the crucial role of nurses in the fight against AMR, WHO actively supported this integration by training 106 nursing educators on effectively delivering the new AMR module. This proactive approach equips educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to confidently guide students through the intricacies of AMR prevention and control…
The WHO also helped to mobilise resources for Zimbabwe’s AMR program. The UK government provided financial assistance to the Republic of Zimbabwe through the Fleming Fund and the AMR Multi Partners Trust Fund.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about/how-resistance-happens.html#:~:text=Antimicrobial%20resistance%20happens%20when%20germs,and%20sometimes%20impossible%2C%20to%20treat.">Centres for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, antimicrobial resistance happens when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Resistant infections can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat.
Antimicrobial resistance is a naturally occurring process, but AMR increases in antimicrobial resistance are driven by a combination of germs exposed to antibiotics and antifungals, and the spread of those germs and their resistance mechanisms.
AMR does not mean that the body is resistant to antibiotics or antifungals. It means the bacteria or fungi causing the infection are resistant to the antibiotic or antifungal treatment.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Adds Antimicrobial Resistance Module To Nursing Curriculum

Mutare City Council has been hit by a mass exodus of nurses and firefighters due to poor conditions of service, reported <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2023/11/24/mass-exodus-of-nurses-rocks-city-council-clinics/">New Ziana</a>.
The Acting Town Clerk, Blessing Chafesuka said that on average, 10 nurses resign every month resulting in a workforce of less than 70, down from 170.
He said nurses resigning have cited poor salaries and working conditions with most of them moving to Europe and Arabia, as well as local NGOs. Said Chafesuka:
<blockquote>
The brain drain of our firefighters and nurses, who are drawn to Saudi Arabia and Europe, is a severe problem for us. Our reliance on temporary nurses has increased due to the high rate of nurse attrition.
We started off with 170 nurses, but now we have fewer than 70, and we hire new nurses every month. Due to that severe scarcity, some of our clinics have ceased to have staff on weekends.
We are also facing the same challenge within the fire department as the members of staff are again seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
</blockquote>
He said the shortage of nurses is compromising the quality of health as patients cannot be attended to on time.
Mutare City Council runs Chikanga, City Center, Dangamvura, Fern Valley, Gimboki, Hobhouse, and Forbes Border Post clinics.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mass Exodus Of Nurses, Firefighters Rocks Mutare City Council

The Zimbabwean Government has been accused of frustrating nurses who want to migrate by failing to provide a crucial document confirming their professional status without which they cannot be employed in foreign lands.
The Ministry of Health and Childcare took over the issuing of “verification letters” from the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe in early 2022.
Unions in Zimbabwe say the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe used to issue the verification letters within days, but the process is now taking “forever” under the Health Ministry.
Simbarashe Tafirenyika, president of the Zimbabwe Urban and Rural Council Nurses Workers Union, told <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2023-11-07-zimbabwe-accused-of-blocking-nurses-from-taking-jobs-abroad/">TimesLive</a> that some ministry officials were demanding hefty bribes to expedite documents.
The Government also doubled the document application fee to US$300, which is too steep for the poorly-paid nurses.
Jane, a 35-year-old Zimbabwean nurse who landed a job in the United Kingdom a year ago, is among thousands of nurses who are being frustrated from leaving the country, said:
<blockquote>
The government is holding me to ransom now. I’m really worried I might not be able to leave.
</blockquote>
The single mother-of-three, who only used her first name for fear of reprisals, told TimesLive that she can no longer afford to eat lunch as runaway inflation has eroded her finances.
Zimbabwean nurses earn less than US$100 a month which is paid in the local currency.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is on record saying Zimbabwe intends to criminalise the foreign recruitment of health staff.
He argued that the country was spending a lot of resources training health workers only for them to be recruited by richer countries.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Accused Of Blocking Nurses From Leaving For "Greener Pastures"

Nurses working at public health institutions have implored the Government to improve their salaries and conditions of service and have requested a meeting with their employer within the next 14 days.
In a letter to the Health Services Commission (HSC), dated 24 May 2023 and addressed to the HSC acting secretary-general Angelbert Mbengwa, Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said nurses have been pushed to the limit of their endurance. He wrote:
<blockquote>
Firstly it is a matter of great regret that precedent is seemingly showing that the plight of nurses is not an issue of concern to the employer.
The Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel, which is supposed to be the forum in which issues are discussed has been deliberately made useless as it has not met in the past two years despite our persistent request for it to sit and discuss issues.
As nurses, our morale is at its lowest ever. We are working under extremely poor conditions that are not only unsafe to patients but even unsafe to ourselves.
Even our capacity to withstand pain has been pushed to the extreme because on a daily basis, we see patients dying simply because basic medication and equipment that could potentially save their lives are not in stock at our hospitals.
</blockquote>
The amended Health Services Act prohibits public healthcare workers from striking for more than 72 hours.
Health workers, who go on strike face disciplinary action, while organisers of such strikes can face imprisonment of up to six months or both.
But Dongo said threatening nurses with arrest or withholding the letter of good standing does not address the challenges that they are facing. He said:
<blockquote>
We, therefore, urge our employer to have a listening ear and seriously consider our plight. To refuse to meet us is not the answer.
To simply say we will arrest you if you strike is not the answer. To withhold the necessary letter of good standing so as to sabotage our efforts to seek employment in other jurisdictions is not the answer.
We, therefore, kindly, but urgently request a meeting with you and interested stakeholders within the next 14 days so as to find solutions for the good of our health sector.
</blockquote>
Contacted for comment by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200012090/nurses-put-govt-on-notice">NewsDay</a>, Mbengwa said he had not yet received the letter. 
He added that should the commission receive the letter, it would “look into the issues raised”.
Nurses currently earn US$200 in allowances and another U$100 in local currency which they say does not meet their basic needs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Nurses Demands Meeting With Health Services Commission

The Government has authorised the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to recruit 500 healthcare workers to be deployed at the city’s 19 clinics.
The local authority has been hit by an exodus of critical health personnel and this has negatively impacted service delivery in the city.
The <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/council-gets-nod-to-recruit-500-health-workers/">Chronicle</a> reported that the City of Bulawayo requires a staff complement of 186 nursing staff to operate at full capacity and presently, there are 87 nurses.
According to the latest council minutes, some of the health personnel that the local authority intends to recruit include dentists and nurses.
Responding to questions raised during a recent full council meeting, the town clerk, Christopher Dube, said:
<blockquote>
Council will soon be recruiting dentists and other health workers to alleviate the situation as the parent ministry had authorised the recruitment of 500 staff members.
Emakhandeni and Nkulumane Clinics have been earmarked for extended dental care services to decentralise the service to other suburbs.
</blockquote>
In an interview with the Chronicle on Tuesday, Bulawayo deputy mayor Councillor Mlandu Ncube said residents were being forced to travel long distances seeking medical care. He said:
<blockquote>
We had serious concerns pertaining to the long hours spent by residents seeking health services from our clinics due to staff shortages.
We are happy that we have been given the green light to recruit 500 workers to address the problem.
Our residents were being short-changed and the situation had reached alarming levels such that some had to walk extra kilometres to nearby clinics to access healthcare.
</blockquote>
Ncube said recruitment is ongoing and they expect that by the end of April this year, the situation will have improved.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bulawayo City Council Gets Approval To Recruit 500 Health Workers

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has condemned the government’s plan to criminalise the recruitment of healthcare workers to work in other countries.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/zimbabwe-s-health-care-workers-condemn-plan-to-criminalize-foreign-recruiters-/7041125.html">VOA</a> on Friday, ZADHR president Norman Matara said that any attempt to prevent healthcare workers from leaving the country for better jobs would be illegal. He said:
<blockquote>
Also our constitution, the Zimbabwe constitution, guarantees citizens have the right to move freely within the country or leave the country.
We don’t know why those comments were made by the honorable minister of health.
The government continues to use scare tactics and command approach to solving healthcare problems.
The government should note that health workers are not being pulled away from the country but pushed away from the country by the meager salaries they are getting. They are being pushed by the worsening economic crisis in the country.
They are being pushed by poor working conditions: lack of equipment, lack of sundries, and lack of medicines in the hospitals that they work in.
We urge the government to improve working conditions, and pay a living wage, you will find that people will not leave the country.
</blockquote>
Last week Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Childcare, said the country will enact a law to make it illegal for other countries to hire healthcare workers from Zimbabwe.
Chiwenga also said the drain of healthcare professionals was as good as human trafficking and a crime against humanity.
Eustina Shava, a nurse who is leaving Zimbabwe in May for better work in Canada, told VOA that foreign recruiters are doing nothing wrong and their work should therefore not be criminalised. She said:
<blockquote>
If we were given enough money, I don’t think anybody would love to leave their families, their relatives and work abroad.
But at the end of the day, we all want to achieve good things in life. We all want to buy houses, we all want to buy cars and we all want to send our children to good schools.
That’s the reason we are reaching out to recruiters. They have done nothing wrong. They are actually helping us to achieve certain things in life.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that more than 4 000 nurses and doctors have left Zimbabwe since February 2021.
Last month, the UK stopped the recruitment of Zimbabwean health workers. This was after Zimbabwe was placed by the World Health Organisation on the red list.
WHO red list designation means that the country is facing serious health personnel challenges.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Doctors For Human Rights Condemn Plan To Criminalise Recruitment Of Healthcare Workers By Foreigners

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has said the government plans to enact a law criminalising the recruitment of health personnel from Zimbabwe by other countries.
Chiwenga, who also doubles as the Minister of Health and Childcare, said the drain of healthcare professionals was as good as human trafficking.
Speaking on Wednesday, Chiwenga said stiffer penalties will be imposed on those he accused of committing a “heinous crime” of recruiting nurses and doctors from Zimbabwe. BBC quoted Chiwenga as saying:
<blockquote>
If one deliberately recruits and makes the country suffer, that’s a crime against humanity.
People are dying in hospitals because there are no nurses and doctors. That must be taken seriously.
Zimbabwe frowns at this heinous crime which is also a grave violation of human rights.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that more than 4 000 nurses and doctors have left Zimbabwe since February 2021.
Last month, the UK stopped the recruitment of Zimbabwean health workers. This was after Zimbabwe was placed by the World Health Organisation on the red list.
WHO red list designation means that the country is facing serious health personnel challenges.
Zimbabwean nurses and doctors are being forced to look for jobs abroad as recurrent economic challenges have seen wages decimated by endless inflation.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Recruitment Of Zimbabwean Nurses A Crime Against Humanity - VP Chiwenga

Zimbabwean nurses and doctors have expressed despair after the World Health Organisation (WHO) banned the recruitment of health professionals from Zimbabwe.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/health/article/200009362/nurses-fret-over-global-recruitment-ban">NewsDay</a>, Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) secretary-general Douglas Chikobvu said the massive brain drain in the health sector is due to poor salaries. Said Chikobvu:
<blockquote>
As it stands, the future of Zimbabwean nurses set to leave for greener pastures has been dealt a big blow.
The government has been sort of abusive in how (it is) handling the plight of nurses.
Instead of addressing the root causes, (it is) coming up with a raft of measures to tie our already impoverished and starving nurses.
The reason for the massive brain drain is due to measly wages. What we all expected the government to do was to swiftly address bread and butter issues by awarding nurses a living wage in US dollars.
</blockquote>
Following the move by WHO, the United Kingdom placed Zimbabwe on the Red List which means that active recruitment is not permitted from the southern African country.
Active international recruitment in the code is defined as the process by which UK health and social care employers target individuals to market UK employment opportunities, with the intention of recruiting to a role in the UK health or social care sector.
It includes both physical or virtual targeting, and whether or not these actions lead to substantive employment.
According to the latest statistics by the UK’s Office of National Statistics, at least 3 000 Zimbabwean health professionals left the country for the UK in the past two years.
Zimbabwe was among the top five countries that registered the highest number of citizens granted work visas to Britain during the same period.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Global Recruitment Ban A Huge Blow - Zimbabwean Nurses

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has promised to avail funds to assist Zimbabwe to train more nurses and doctors to alleviate the brain drain in the medical sector.
Mnangagwa said this while addressing thousands of ZANU PF supporters, Johanne Marange apostolic sect members, and schoolchildren at the ground-breaking and fundraising ceremony of St Noah College in Marange on Wednesday. <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200008518/who-will-bail-us-out-ed">NewsDay</a> quoted Mnangagwa as saying:
<blockquote>
Our Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga was attending the ministers of health meeting in Switzerland and the WHO said they are aware that we are losing our doctors and nurses. The WHO said they will give us funds to recruit more nurses and doctors.
Our children, doctors, nurses and accountants and other professionals are being taken by other countries because they are educated. They are being taken by London, Australia, Canada and America.
</blockquote>
8 363 medical professionals were granted work visas by the United Kingdom between 2019 and September 2022.
Since last year, more than 2 200 nurses and doctors have left the country, according to the Health Services Board.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

WHO Promised To Fund Training Of Doctors And Nurses In Zimbabwe - Mnangagwa

The Government has increased practicing certificate fees for nurses by 150% to US$50, with the fees payable in local currency at the prevailing official rate.
According to a report by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007535/nurses-practicing-certificate-fees-up-150">NewsDay</a>, practicing certificates determine whether a health worker is qualified in the country, and is renewed every year.
In a circular dated February 10, 2023, Nurses Council of Zimbabwe registrar Mercy Chaka said:
<blockquote>
Certificates for good standing and confirmation letters are to be paid in USD only.
Registration and re-registration fees US$50; transfer to admin register US$50; application for private clinic US$500; application for certificate for good standing US$300, application for confirmation letter US$300.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said the majority of nurses will not afford the new fees. He said:
<blockquote>
If they don’t pay for the practice licenses, it means they no longer have a valid practicing certificate.
A lot of nurses will not afford to pay for that certificate. If one fails, they are not allowed to practice as a nurse.
There are penalties when you also fail to pay on time. What it means is that there is no justification at all costs. It demotivates the already demotivated health workers.
There is nowhere in this economy where one can afford that amount from $20 to $50 which is more than a 150% increase.
They started by increasing the letter for good standing from US$150 to US$300 as a way to block nurses who wanted to go outside the country to look for greener pastures.
</blockquote>

Govt Hikes Nurses’ Practicing Certificate By 150%

The United Kingdom is raiding its former colony Zimbabwe for key public sector workers: nurses, doctors and teachers, according to Zimbabwe-based writer, Ashley Simango.
The writer who got an honourable mention at the 2021 Arrude Jesuit Center For Ethics in Society High School Essay Competition, says it is “cruel for the UK to “poach” Zimbabwe’s key health sector personnel. 
In an article first published by <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/2/8/zimbabwe-is-bleeding-doctors-teachers-to-the-uk-whos-to-blame">Al Jazeera</a>, Simango whose writings on diplomacy and economics appeared in Newsweek, Fast Company, The New Arab and The Africa Report said:
<blockquote>
This is cruel. It appears unstoppable. Yet it also captures a vicious cycle in which foreign aid meant to help countries like Zimbabwe strengthen their education and health systems is undermined by migration of trained talent to those very same donor nations.
More than 4,000 nurses and doctors have left Zimbabwe since February 2021. The UK is by far the destination of choice: data from the British Home Office in 2022 reveals that Zimbabwe is now in the top five skilled worker visa recipient countries.
This is a big drain. According to the Zimbabwe Medical Association, the country has a paltry 3,500 doctors for a population of 15 million people. Access to nurses is poor, too — just 2.6 per 1,000 people as of 2017, reveals the World Bank. In a key 1,000-bed public hospital, managers told reporters that services were crippled when dozens of nurses and doctors left for the UK in 2021.
Of course, the UK — like any other country — must look after its interests first. But the imbalance between a $3.2 trillion economy (the UK) and a $28bn economy (Zimbabwe) is such that the scramble for medical personnel isn’t a fair contest.
</blockquote>
Simango added that despite the woes of the National Health Service (NHS), the UK still has 8.5 nurses per 1 000 people — more than three times the number in Zimbabwe. Added the writer:
<blockquote>
And poaching talent from a country like Zimbabwe comes cheap. The UK spends £230,000 ($281,000) in training each doctor — much of which it saves when it imports trained and skilled medical professionals.
Simply put, at a time when healthcare workers are leaving the NHS in droves because of poor pay and conditions, the British government — instead of addressing their concerns — is plundering doctors and nurses from former colonies like Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Her remarks come after the UK announced that from February 2023, Zimbabwe will join a select group of nations and territories whose educators will be eligible to get <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwean-teachers-eligible-to-apply-for-qualified-teacher-status-in-england-starting-2023/">Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)</a> which would allow them to work long-term as teachers in the UK.
Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa are the only other African nations on the list. 
Teacher unions in Zimbabwe fear that many of the country’s 135 000 public school teachers might be tempted to take up posts in the UK. 
For the last four decades, Zimbabwe has boasted one of Africa’s most impressive post-colonial educational outcomes with the World Economic Forum ranking it fourth-best on the continent in 2016.
Simango also puts the blame on the Zimbabwean government which she says is unable to pay doctors, nurses and teachers living wages, a factor pushing them to seek greener pastures.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

"UK Is Raiding, Its Former Colony Zimbabwe For Nurses, Doctors And Teachers, This Is Cruel"

Zimbabwean nurses desperate to leave the country for greener pastures are finding it difficult to emigrate as authorities refuse to provide key documents.
Nurses working in Zimbabwe’s public hospitals earn the equivalent of less than $200 a month, which has forced some of them to consider migrating to countries like Canada and Britain where there are better opportunities.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-zimbabwe-nurses-leaving-canada-uk/">The Globe and Mail</a>, Agnes Masarira said she cannot afford to buy lunch at a government hospital in Masvingo where she works. She said:
<blockquote>
It’s like I’m a slave. I have no house, no car and not enough to eat, yet I’m considered employed.
I live with my brother. I can only afford second-hand clothes. My child has to watch me struggle every day.
</blockquote>
Masarira said for years she has visited Health Ministry offices to request the documents but each time she was told that the officials who must sign the documents were unavailable.
She said one official asked for a bribe of US$200 to arrange her diploma, but she could not afford it.
Last year the Zimbabwean government doubled the application fee for verification letters to US$300 from US$150, making it even more difficult for nurses to emigrate.
The letters have become almost impossible to obtain anyway, even when nurses are able to pay the fee.
Setfree Mafukidze, a Zimbabwean nurse who emigrated to Britain in 2020 when the restrictions were not as tight, said:
<blockquote>
It’s a human-rights abuse against the suffering nurses. People are being tied down by the government. It leads to corruption. Some officials are cashing in on bribes from desperate nurses.
The danger is that we’re going to have a group of very disgruntled nurses in hospitals and clinics, which is very dangerous for patients.
</blockquote>
Mateline Dube, a 34-year-old nurse at a government hospital in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare, said:
<blockquote>
I’m just living from hand to mouth. Often I have to walk to work, about four kilometres, because I don’t have money for transport.
Sometimes, with my nursing uniform on, I have to beg for transport from motorists, but that’s dehumanizing and embarrassing for me. That’s why I want to leave this country.
</blockquote>
Nelisiwe Sibanda, a 36-year-old nurse in a government hospital in Harare told The Globe and Mail that she paid US$300 for a verification letter last year but never received the letter.
She said one official told her that she would never get the documents. Sibanda said:
<blockquote>
I’ve become a burden to my friends and relatives since I’m asking them for financial help every month. I’m tired of this now.
I’m very angry at the authorities for blocking my dream to leave this country.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe has experienced a massive brain drain in the health sector in the past few years.
More than 4 000 health workers, including about 2 600 nurses, left the country in 2021 and 2022.

"Impoverished" Nurses Are Barred From Leaving Zimbabwe

ZANU PF activists are reportedly forcing teachers and nurses to buy party membership cards in Zaka District, Masvingo Province.
ZANU PF Zaka District women’s league chairperson Confidence Mukau allegedly forced all the nurses at Musiso Mission Hospital and teachers at the mission to buy party cards or face undisclosed consequences, <a href="https://tellzim.com/zanu-pf-forces-teachers-nurses-to-buy-party-cards/">reported TellZim News.</a>
Mukau is allegedly linked to a ZANU PF faction aligned to Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
The Mission is in Ward 19, a well–known opposition territory that has had an opposition councillor since 2008.
TellZim News reported sources at the mission as saying Mukau led a team that was forcing teachers, nurses and other ancillary staff at the mission into party cell registers and to buy cards at a cost of US$3.00. Said a source:
<blockquote>
We are appealing to the press to expose ZANU PF here in Zaka, they are forcing us to buy party cards whereas we are not even part of them.
We are no longer at peace here as we are being forced to belong to the party by buying membership cards.
</blockquote>
Another source claimed that another ZANU PF team went to the mission for cell registration and they forced people to register into the cells. Said the source:
<blockquote>
A few weeks ago they were here at the mission doing cell verification and registration.
All teachers, nurses and student nurses were forced into cells and the list of names was used to get presidential inputs from GMB but only teachers from both the mission schools got the inputs and the nurses failed and they are bitter.
</blockquote>
Mukau stays at the St Anthony’s High School teachers’ quarters by virtue of being a wife to one Mukau a building studies teacher.
She is also closely related to former Catholic Bishop Michael Bhasera – a privilege she reportedly uses to threaten all mission staff.
When contacted for comment, ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said:
<blockquote>
I haven’t received any complaints about people being forced to buy party cards. However, it’s unlikely for us to force people because cards are sold to members only and they come willingly so we cannot force non-members.
At Musiso Mission, we have a number of party members some of who are even in the district executive so those are the ones whom we target when we go there and those who are not part of us should be left out.
I will talk to the district chairperson to about the issue so that it will be addressed.
</blockquote>
Zaka District is infamous for politically motivated violence since 2002. A number of opposition supporters were reportedly killed and some injured during the 2002 and 2008 elections.

ZANU PF Forces Teachers, Nurses To Buy Membership Cards

Zimbabwe’s health workers have condemned a new law that outlaws any industrial action, saying it will exacerbate the exodus of health professionals.
The Health Service Amendment Act which came into force on Tuesday prohibits health workers who are classified as an “essential” service from striking for more than three days.
The Act stipulates that those who do not comply face a fine or imprisonment of up to six months.
Enock Dongo, president of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) said the new piece of legislation takes away health workers’ right to protest. He said:
<blockquote>
After the rejection of the bill by various stakeholders, they still went ahead to pass it. It is very unfortunate. The right to protest has been taken away.
… They tried to be clever, saying we are allowed to strike for three days, but we all know that even when we down tools for more days they do not want to negotiate.
</blockquote>
According to the Health Services Board (HSB), Zimbabwe has lost more than 4,000 doctors and nurses to the UK and other countries since 2021. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>
When you threaten health workers with jail, how do you expect them to discharge their duties?
This will affect every citizen, nurses will just adopt a ‘go-slow’ [approach to work].
</blockquote>
Norman Matara, the president of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) said:
<blockquote>
This law has taken us two steps backward. We have been trying to fight brain drain. 
Further frustration of health workers would lead to more people leaving. This bill will bring more negatives than positives.
This bill was widely rejected by all health professionals and even after the parliamentary consultations, this bill was rejected by the people.
To see the bill being drafted into law without amendments is quite sad.
</blockquote>
Government health workers have been demanding a living wage of US$540 a month but the government has said it cannot afford to meet their demands.
Nurses in Zimbabwe are paid less than US$100 a month excluding allowances. | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jan/12/health-workers-in-zimbabwe-dismayed-as-law-curbing-strikes-is-passed">The Guardian</a>

Health Workers In Zimbabwe Condemn Law Curbing Strikes

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week signed into law the Health Services Amendment Bill which among other things, makes it illegal for government health workers to embark on industrial action lasting more than three days.
The Health Service Amendment Act stipulates that during job action, government health workers must continue to provide emergency services.
Under the Act, the old Health Services Board (HSB) was upgraded to a full commission, that is, the Health Services Commission (HSC) which set health workers’ conditions of service.
Health workers are now independent of the Public Services Commission (PSC), just like the judiciary, defence forces and police.
The restrictions on the health workers’ right to strike are contained in Section 16A of the new Act which says health services shall be deemed an essential service as defined in the Constitution. It reads:
<blockquote>
Notwithstanding anything in the Labour Act, the Health Service shall be deemed as an essential service referred to in section 65(3) of the Constitution.
No collective job action, whether lawful or unlawful, shall continue for an uninterrupted period of 72 hours or for more than 72 hours in any given 14-day period and notice of any collective job action must be given in writing 48 hours prior to the commencement of such collective job action.
</blockquote>
The Act says anyone inciting or organising collective job action in defiance of the new conditions can be tried for a criminal offence and if found guilty fined up to level four or jailed for six months.
Government workers are permitted to go on strike but during job action, they must provide the skill, expertise, care and service to patients in a medical emergency or needing critical or intensive care. | <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/prolonged-health-workers-strikes-now-illegal/">The Herald</a>

Govt Outlaws Prolonged Strikes By Health Workers

Doctors, nurses and other health workers employed by the government have been threatened with dismissals if they go on strike for more than three days.
The Health Services Commission (HSC), which replaced the Health Services Board (HSB), issued the threat in a leaked memo.
According to the memo, strikes must not take more than 72 hours if they ever happen. Part of the memo reads:
<blockquote>
Health Services Board has been replaced by the Health Services Commission. Health services are classified as critical services and no one should be denied access to emergency services or ICU services, even during a strike.
Striking by health workers is almost impossible. If a strike happens, it must not last more than 72 hours.
All those intending to strike must give the HSC a 48-hour written notice.
HSC has the power to deregister any member from professional body registers after disciplinary procedures.
</blockquote>
Thousands of Zimbabwean health workers have left the country for greener pastures over the past few years.
In the past, the government has fired health workers for taking part in industrial action demanding living wages.
In August 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care fired Robert Emmanuel Chiduku, the leader of the Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU).
Chiduku was found guilty on charges of conducting Union business during business hours on work premises without the employer’s consent. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/public-health-workers-given-stern-warning-over-strikes/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Govt Health Workers Warned Over Strikes

Doctors and Nurses for Economic Development (Doctors and Nurses For ED), working in partnership with Bulawayo-based businessman, Brian Samuriwo, are offering free health care services and drugs.
Five doctors, two laboratory scientists, counsellors and 15 nurses from Bulawayo’s central hospitals, under the banner Doctors and Nurses for ED, were offering free health care services at Chigumira Shopping Centre in Luveve suburb last Sunday.
The Deputy National Chairperson for Doctors and Nurses for ED, Dr Isheunesu Makwambeni, said:
<blockquote>
We are providing Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VTC), and general consultations and we have a small pharmacy where we are providing drugs.
This programme is ongoing; we are visiting all the districts in Bulawayo.
We are mainly targeting the elderly with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. We are also doing HIV testing targeting the youths.
As doctors and nurses for ED, we decided to offer our services for free so that those who cannot afford such services are not denied the right to access health care services.
</blockquote>
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Gogo Mpofu, who said she was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and diabetes a few years ago, said:
<blockquote>
I want to thank the sponsors of this programme because most of us as the elderly at times cannot afford to buy medication.
We benefited from free health care services and medication which in some cases is very expensive.
We want to thank the Government, ZANU PF and Mr Brian Samuriwo whom we are told sponsored this programme.
Today I got the tablets for free and I am overwhelmed by this generosity.
</blockquote>
Samuriwo said by assisting the elderly and children under the age of five, he was giving back to the community. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/doctors-for-ed-offer-free-health-care-to-senior-citizens/">Chronicle</a>

Doctors And Nurses For ED Offer Free Health Care

More than 4 000 health workers have left the country since 2021, the Health Services Board (HSB) has revealed.
HSB chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikosana on Sunday told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/over-4000-zimbabwean-doctors-nurses-left-country-2021-2022-11-20/">Reuters</a> that those who left over the past year include 1 700 registered nurses who resigned last year and more than 900 who left this year.
A large number of doctors and nurses in Zimbabwe have found work mainly in Britain, Australia and regional countries such as Namibia.
Zimbabwe’s health workers went on a week-long strike in June this year demanding to be paid in US dollars as inflation further weakened the local currency.
On Sunday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the government has to improve remuneration and conditions of service for medical practitioners to curb brain drain in the health sector.
Writing in his weekly column published in <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/president-pledges-to-improve-doctors-salaries/">The Sunday News</a>, Mnangagwa said the government will give land for free to those who wished to set up medical facilities. He said:
<blockquote>
We have to competitively reward our doctors in order to guarantee greater staff retention in our hospitals, and in the country.
Many of our doctors continue to leave the country for greener pastures; they are hotly sought after, particularly in the rich West, because of their superior training facilities.
The Second Republic has to treat in-country medical staff retention as a foremost national goal.
More visible and substantive steps will be taken in the near future to improve the working conditions for our medical staff.
</blockquote>

Over 4 000 Zimbabwean Doctors And Nurses Left The Country In 2021

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that the government has to improve remuneration and conditions of service for medical practitioners to curb brain drain in the health sector.
Writing in his weekly column published in <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/president-pledges-to-improve-doctors-salaries/">The Sunday News</a>, Mnangagwa said the government will give land for free to those who wished to set up medical facilities. He said:
<blockquote>
We have to competitively reward our doctors in order to guarantee greater staff retention in our hospitals, and in the country.
Many of our doctors continue to leave the country for greener pastures; they are hotly sought after, particularly in the rich West, because of their superior training facilities.
The Second Republic has to treat in-country medical staff retention as a foremost national goal.
More visible and substantive steps will be taken in the near future to improve the working conditions for our medical staff.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa bemoaned the doctor-to-patient ratio in the country which he said was too low. He said:
<blockquote>
The number of medical practitioners in the country remains unsatisfactorily low. I am told we have 3 777 registered medical practitioners in the country.
Of this number, 1 982 are General Medical Officers; 713 are specialists; 250 are dentists, while 627 are interns. We have to boost our medical corps.
This programme will continue until every village and community is within reach of a medical facility, for basic health provisioning.
Alongside this thrust, we continue to invest in district hospitals until the goal of a fully functional hospital for each district is met.
I also wish to see more and more mobile healthcare services reaching remote communities.
We have done that in the past, allowing mobile clinics manned by specialist doctors to reach such historically disadvantaged communities for superior care.
As in other sectors, no person and no community should be left behind.
</blockquote>
He said the government is building rural health facilities in both urban and rural areas, with some projects funded through Devolution Funds.

ED Pledges To Improve Doctors' Salaries To Curb Brain Drain

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has welcomed the decision by the government to extend its waiver on the re-appointment of health workers who had left the service to March 31, 2023, from September 30 this year.
ZINA president Enock Dongo told <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/desperate-government-extends-reappointment-period-for-fired-retired-nurses-as-health-workers-flight-to-greener-pastures-persists/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> that the extension was the government’s admission that things were not well in the health sector. He said:
<blockquote>
This is a clear admission on the part of government that things are not well in the health sector.
A lot of health workers have left for greener pastures and the private sector, leaving gaps that have not been filled.
Government’s call is very serious and we support the return of those who are eligible so as to give service to the public, the most affected by current shortages.
These professionals have not just left services for no apparent reason; they left because of poor working conditions, poor remuneration, intimidation by the state and a general lack of dialogue between the employer and employee.
These have to be addressed, otherwise these re-appointments will be premature. If government fails to do so then they will either look at their colleagues who are still employed and opt not to join or join and leave again.
</blockquote>
According to a letter signed by Health Services Board acting executive director, Angelbert Mbengwa, the government extended the waiver by six months. It reads:
<blockquote>
It is noted that the Board extended the waiver of reappointment for former health workers who need to rejoin the service to Central Hospitals and Provincial Medical Directors for a period of six months from 01 April 2022 to 30 September 2022.
Please be advised that the waiver has been extended for a further period of six months from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 to facilitate urgent appointments to fill vacant posts in institutions.
However, the reappointment of the following categories shall be centralized at the Board; all former nurses applying to rejoin the service, members who were discharged from the service on grounds of misconduct, convicted of a criminal offence, or terminated through medical grounds.
In view of the above, Central Hospitals and Provincial Medical Directors shall continue approving applications for reappointment of the other grades as communicated before. Institutions should thus submit the applications for the above two categories to the Board.
The General Manager of the Salary Service Bureau is therefore being instructed to accept reappointments authorised at stations in line with the above framework.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s public sector is experiencing an exodus of health workers fleeing poor working conditions and poor remuneration to better-paying countries in Europe, Namibia, and America, among others.

Union Welcomes Govt Re-hiring Of Fired And Retired Nurses

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) through the Health Services Board (HSB) has extended the waiver to reappoint former health workers who desire to rejoin the service.
The recruitment of the former health workers and the extension of the waiver are meant to fill the gaps that have arisen as a result of the exodus of skilled personnel.
Through a circular, HSB Executive Director, Angelbert Mbengwa said the waiver has been extended from the original September Deadline to March 31, 2023. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that the waiver has been extended for a further period of six months from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 to facilitate urgent appointments to fill vacant posts in institutions.
</blockquote>
However, the appointment of all nurses applying to rejoin the service and members who were discharged from service on grounds of misconduct, convicted of criminal offences, or terminated through medical grounds shall be centralized at the board. Said Mbengwa:
<blockquote>
In view of the above, Central Hospitals and Provincial Hospitals shall continue approving applications of for reappointment of other grades as communicated in the before except the categories stated above.
Institutions should thus submit the applications of the above two categories to the board.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/11/09/zimbabwe-invites-retired-and-former-nurses-and-health-workers-back-into-service/">Health Times</a>

Govt Invites Retired And Former Nurses And Health Workers Back Into Service

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo says the dire state of the country’s public health sector is contributing to brain drain and an acute shortage of staff.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/health/article/200000700/hospitals-face-acute-staff-shortage">NewsDay</a>, Dongo said most health facilities are dilapidated which makes the work of nurses difficult. He said:
<blockquote>
The health sector is going down and the infrastructure is not up to standard and renovations are not being done.
Complaints to access health facilities are too many among the patients and the health personnel.
There are no resources and machines are old and there has not been any purchase for the last three to four years for major hospitals.
There is a need for modern machines like X-rays and scans among others.
It is sad that in public hospitals, simple drugs like paracetamol and painkillers are inaccessible.
It becomes difficult when patients are transferred from places like Tshelanyemba, Mtshabezi, and Plumtree, among others and they don’t have relatives in the city and are told to buy medication that they don’t afford, it’s a dire situation that needs attention.
</blockquote>
Political leaders in Mashonaland Central Province recently revealed that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabweans-cross-into-zambia-and-mozambique-for-medical-care/">some locals are being forced to cross the border into Zambia and Mozambique to seek medical attention.</a>
This is due to the high cost of medical care in Zimbabwe as well as the long distances they have to travel to get to the nearest hospital.

Zim's Health Sector Going Down - Dongo

Members of Parliament on Wednesday confronted Vice President and Health and Childcare Minister Constantino Chiwenga over the state of the country’s health sector.
Zimbabwe’s health sector is experiencing a massive brain drain and thousands of health professionals leave the country for greener pastures. The sector is also underfunded.
This also comes as Zimbabweans living near the country’s borders are being forced to seek medical treatment in neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.
Mutare Central MP Innocent Gonese (CCC) said the brain drain in the health sector was a cause for concern. He said:
<blockquote>
Our doctors and nurses are leaving the country and one of the reasons is the issue of the poor health sector.
A lot of doctors indicated that sometimes they do not have the tools of trade and these are some of the issues which we want an independent commission (to inquire into).
</blockquote>
Kambuzuma MP Willias Madzimure (CCC), also contributing to the debate on the Health Services Amendment Bill which is before Parliament, said:
<blockquote>
The fact that our health workers are leaving the country in their numbers is an indication that something is not right. We cannot pay a blind eye to that.
</blockquote>
The Health Services Amendment Bill seeks to align the Health Service Act to the Constitution.
Chiwenga told MPs that the Bill was necessary to address the concerns of healthcare workers, which include the improvement of their conditions of service, as well as deliver the best health system for Zimbabweans. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200002253/mps-confront-chiwenga-over-nurses-mass-exodus">NewsDay</a>

MPs Confront VP Chiwenga Over Brain Drain

Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) president, Robert Chiduku, says he will appeal against his dismissal.
Chiduku, who was based at Gweru Provincial Hospital, was fired last week for conducting union business at work without the consent of the employer. He said:
<blockquote>
I was dismissed with immediate effect and the accusation was that I used government premises without consent to conduct union business.
We are going to appeal in terms of that judgment in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe we are going to launch an appeal.
I feel abandoned by the employers, I didn’t expect it because we had raised our grievances procedurally.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Japhet Moyo condemned Chiduku’s sacking and vowed to fight for his reinstatement. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Chiduku has a right to belong to a union, Chiduku has a right to be elected and represent workers, and he has a right in terms of the law to participate in the activities of the association he belongs to.
The country’s constitution provides for that. So this is a fight that we will mount until Chiduku is returned to back work.
</blockquote>
HSB has also targeted over 200 nurses countrywide for disciplinary action after nurses at most public hospitals embarked on strike action in June demanding better salaries.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/govt-cracks-down-on-nurses-strike-organisers/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Fired Nurses Union Leader Plans To Appeal Against Dismissal

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has condemned the sacking of Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) president Robert Chiduku by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, describing the move as persecution of the nurses.
Speaking to NewsDay on Tuesday, ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said the firing of Chiduku for his unionism violated the Labour Act. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Our position is the same as the one we gave pertaining to the rail workers’ issue. The Labour Act itself provides that an employee has the right to belong to an organisation, and is allowed to participate.
Comrade Chiduku had a right to belong to the Professional Nurses Association, and he also had the right to participate in the association’s activities.
He cannot be penalised for exercising that right. As far as we are concerned, this is pure victimisation as no other employee will be interested in being voted into the same position.
It would mean that workers are going to be afraid to lead other workers in trade unionism.
It also means that no one will want to be a member of a trade union as they can be dismissed for participating.
</blockquote>
Chiduku was fired from Gweru Provincial Hospital on Monday, 15 August 2022 on allegations of conducting union business at his workplace without the employer’s consent. He has seven days to appeal the decision.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/08/stop-persecution-of-nurses-zctu/">NewsDay</a>

ZCTU Condemns The Sacking Of Nurses' Union Leader

More than 200 nurses working at government health institutions may lose their jobs after Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) president, Robert Chiduku, was fired on Monday, 15 August on allegations of conducting union business at his workplace.
The nurses will soon appear before disciplinary committees at provincial government hospitals across the country for participating in demonstrations and absenteeism from duty without authorisation.
In a letter dated 15 August 2022 addressed to Chiduku, a representative of the Gweru provincial disciplinary authority, Stewart Jailos said the trade unionist was found guilty of conducting union business within the hospital premises without the employer’s consent.
Chiduku is one of the many nurses and union leaders summoned by the Ministry of Health and Childcare officials for disciplinary hearings over their calls for better salaries for nurses.
Zimbabwe Nurses Union (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said the hearings are being done in order to intimidate workers. Dongo said:
<blockquote>
All this is being done to intimidate and scare away the nurses from any job action. 
That is their strategy, but we are not scared and this we condemn.
I have learnt of the unfortunate dismissal from work of Robert Chiduku.
We don’t expect the employer to dismiss union leaders over fighting for a good cause.
</blockquote>
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition spokesperson Obert Masaraure said the sacking of Chiduku is “evil” and “should be condemned by all progressive citizens.”
Health Services Board (HSB) spokesperson Tryfine Rachel Dzvukutu confirmed to NewsDay that the board had summoned a number of nurses with hearings still in progress.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/08/govt-chokes-hungry-nurses/">NewsDay</a>

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