adminSpeaking at the graduation ceremony of 164 nurses, one of them posthumously, at the Imbizo Barracks Medical Training School outside Bulawayo on Friday, Chief of Staff Major General Trust Mugoba said the nation should look upon the uniformed forces to provide assistance during national disasters.
The 64 graduates were drawn from the ZNA, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prison Service.
“Today marks the end of nursing courses where a total of 164 students are graduating from the uniformed forces. The nation and your respective organisations will call upon you to provide assistance during national disasters, strikes and health campaigns such as malaria control and HIV and Aids prevention,” said Maj Gen Mugoba.
The courses ranged between six and 24 months for both certificate and diploma levels. These were the Medical Assistant Class Three Group A/2012, State Certified Traumatology Nurses Group A/2010, State Registered General Nurses Group A/2011 and State Medical Laboratory Technicians Group A/2010.
Maj Gen Mugoba said the aim of the courses was to equip uniformed forces with advanced first aid and casualty evacuation skills on the field of operation. It was also meant to capacitate them with trauma services and prepare them for subsequent health disasters as well as upgrade others to diploma level.
Maj Gen Mugoba urged the graduates to be patriotic and use the knowledge and skills they gained for the benefit of their communities and the nation.
“You have now gained the necessary nursing experience with knowledge and skills to save the nation. The skills and attitude you acquired during your training should not be put to waste but be used in the development of our nation in terms of health and peace. It has to add value to service and care of our people and to the development of our country.
“Therefore, given the nature and complexity of diseases today, your service to Zimbabwe and the uniformed forces is very crucial. The uniformed forces, through your knowledge and skills, will always be ready to assist maintain a healthy nation,” Maj Gen Mugoba said.
He urged graduates to uphold ethics in discharging their duties for the good image of the uniformed forces.
The top 10 graduates in all the courses were presented with prizes that included certificates, shields, trophies and prize money.
The two best overall students were the late Staff Sergeant Paul Chigova who died in May after completing the State Registered General Nurses course and was honoured posthumously, and Staff Sergeant Admire Moyo.
There was a moment of silence when Staff Sgt Chigova’s wife, Mrs Beatrice Chigova, sobbed uncontrollably as she went to collect her husband’s prizes.
Maj Gen Mugoba said the ZNA mourned together with the Chigova family and also paid tribute to all stakeholders for the support they render to the uniformed forces.
The ceremony was also attended by senior officers from the army and senior health personnel from Government hospitals in Bulawayo.
Online Reporter