THE Nurses and Midwives in Government Association (NMGA), the Zimbabwe Young Nurses Association (ZYNA) and the Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives in Zimbabwe say they are happy with the prevailing conditions of service and incentives being offered by government to the nursing profession and the generality of the civil service.
By Michael Gwarisa
Their proclamation comes in the midst of one of the worst exodus of skilled personal in the history of the nursing and midwifery professions in Zimbabwe where over 2000 nurses have left for greener pastures since January 2021, due to continued deterioration in conditions of service worsened by poor remuneration and poor living and working conditions.
Addressing Journalists during a Press Conference in Harare this Friday, Nurses and Midwives in Government Association Chairperson, Dr Pisirai Ndarukwa said even though they appreciate the efforts being made to hedge healthcare workers from economic related challenges, there is need to cushion healthcare workers further.
As professional associations, we have taken note of the recent adjustments to the Cost of Living, made by the Government in an endeavor to cushion nurses, midwives, all healthcare workers and the rest of the civil service. We appreciate these efforts the government of Zimbabwe is making towards its workforce while also preserving the steady growth of the economy.
“We have however, expressed to our Government the need for further cushioning of the workforce providing a living wage, and ensuring availability of transport at all times when the workforce presents itself to and from work. Provision of descent accommodation that has a long lasting effect to the workforce (housing stands and provision of loans to buy or build). This, we have received assurance from the Government.
“We therefore, wish to put on record that we shall only engage in mutual negotiations for improving conditions of services with the government while ensuring observation of the International Pledge of Nurses and Midwives. We strongly oppose any efforts to use the patient as a pawn in any negotiations for a better adjustment to the cost of living. We are still trying to recover as health professions from the dark recent past wherein the patients were abandoned for prolonged periods leading to loss of lives and lack of confidence and trust in healthcare workers,” said Dr Ndarukwa.
He also took a swipe at other nurses associations and other groupings of individuals who he said were out to shame the authorities and paint a picture of an insincere leadership.
“This is not true for the current leadership that has always maintained an open door policy to discussing issues affecting the healthcare delivery system. Thus, we have observed an improved supply chain of medicines and sundries being managed through the National Pharmaceutical Company. All we need to do, is to place our orders in time taking cognisance of the buffer stocks. In turn, the National Pharmaceutical Company takes note of what is needed in the health care delivery system and purchases while maintain the supply chain.
“We have sought and got clarity related to the verification process for those who wish to work in the diaspora and the process was now open and transparent. There is no time Government has denied anyone verification letters (Letter of Good Standing) for those attempting to look for employment outside the country. All recommendations done around verification letters are being done to correct corrupt activities reported rampant around the process from some unscrupulous individuals.”
He also said the inauguration of the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe Board has been done with a view to restore the esteemed image of the nursing and midwifery professions that was seemingly becoming an elusive dream.
“We therefore, distance our associations from a certain document circulating on social media which was purported to have been collectively penned and signed by all nursing unions yet it was only a few individuals who do not represent the whole nursing and midwifery fraternity.”
Meanwhile, Mr Enock Dongo, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) Secretary General said the associations were not representing the true sentiments of the majority of the nursing sector.
“Those are bootlickers and they are bound to fail because they don’t have membership. They represent themselves as individuals who were selected just to bootlick a failed management. Those are failed managers who have decided to form splinter groups and it’s unfortunately the groups were not really formed as per membership, its just individuals who do not have any members. Unionism is about members.
“They are misplaced. People are suffering and their position is not a collective position of nurses. Nurses and healthcare workers are suffering and as Zimbabwe Nurses Association, we are the people who represent the majority of nurses. By membership and when we talk of membership, we talk of subscriptions and people who subscribe to an organisation. You cannot just say I have formed an association and nurses belong to me, that doesn’t mean anything,” said Mr Dongo.
He added that misleading the nation, head of state and the ministry of health was a recipe for disaster.
“We don’t want just to lie to the people, it will not work and will not give us the intended results. They are not doing any good to President Emerson Mnangagwa, otherwise they want to make sure that 2023, ZANU-PF loses in the election. If these people really want ZANU PF, President Mnangagwa;s government and they really want the Vice President who is also the minister, they should not be doing what they are doing.
“If they want reality, if they want development, if they want the people of Zimbabwe to get services and to be treated in hospitals, they should stop what they are doing which will not give the intended result. They are destroying the health delivery system by just lying and talking things which are not even there. People are complaining on a daily basis and they are some genuine reasons which should be addressed by the leaders not by bootlicking and not by lying,” said Mr Dongo.
