NURSES from all council clinics in Harare downed tools this morning citing incapacitation as the major reason behind the move.
By Michael Gwarisa
According to nurses who spoke to HealthTimes, top officials in the City of Harare were today moving around clinics threatening the nurses to return to work or face disciplinary action.
Council has been ignoring our incapacitation please over the few months and this has worsened our living standards as we can no longer afford to meet our basic daily needs such as food, rentals, transport among others.
“This is not a strike but we are incapacitated. We applied for a cushioning allowance but still there is no movement in that regard. We are struggling to make ends meet let alone continue to come to work,” said the nurses.
The lowest paid nurse currently earns ZW$800 which is equivalent to US$35 as of the RBZ interbank rate while a senior nurse earns ZW$1400.
According to the Herald, by 11:00 am this morning, only sisters-in-charge had reported for work at most local authority owned clinics.
Health director in the city of Harare, Dr Prosper Chonzi said the latest development was a big blow to the health sector considering the current withdrawal of labour by doctors at Central hospitals.
“As you know, most patients were now receiving treatment from clinics because of the current industrial action at central hospitals hence this development will leave more patients stranded and with no alternative to care,” said Dr Chonzi.
