Crisis looms as nurses desert City Health

Talent Gore

THE City of Harare Health department has lost more than half of its nursing complement due to poor remuneration, director of health services, Dr Prosper Chonzi, has said.

Addressing the Education, Health, Housing, Community Services and Licensing Committee, he said the nurses either joined the Government or emigrated to Europe.

“Government is paying nurses better than the local authority, something that has affected health delivery services in the capital,” he said.

Dr Chonzi told the plenary that there are 229 vacancies in midwifery and 326 registered nurses vacancies, a situation he described as challenging.

“We are appealing to HR through the chairperson that we have a situation that is dire, requiring immediate attention,” he said.

“The team available is working tirelessly, but cannot manage at half the capacity. 

“It is something that needs to be solved urgently.”

He added: “In fact, we need better remuneration across the board because all other sections within the City Health Department have not been spared of the skills flight.”