CABINET has reneged on its earlier decision to cease the flexi-hour system for nurses approving a new working schedule.
By Kuda Pembere
This new arrangement gives nurses two weeks at work and two weeks home. Speaking at the 16th Cabinet Decision Matrix media briefing on Thursday, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa acknowledged the deficit of Government nurses in hospitals.
Government having disbanded the flexi-hours and taken cognisance of the inadequate number of nurses on the establishment of the Ministry of Health and Child Care to allow for a 14 day off period, a new arrangement was arrived at following extensive consultations with the leadership of the nursing staff and managers of Hospitals and Provinces,” said Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.
She added, “The new arrangement will minimise the period of continuous exposure to COVID-19 and at the same time ensuring continuity of service.”
Nurses are to work three shifts in this new arrangement while other health workers revert to normal working schedules.
"The arrangement will see the introduction of three (3) shifts as follows: 7am-1pm; 1pm-7pm; and 7pm-7am. Under this arrangement, all nurses will report for duty every week for three days followed by 4 days off.
“The successful implementation of this new strategy will be anchored on the provision of additional and consistent transport as well as adequate PPE for all workers including nurses,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
