Online Reporter
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter
Over 200 Zimbabwean nurses from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals have undergone intensive emergency resuscitation training in an initiative aimed at strengthening clinical capacity and emergency response in public hospitals.
The programme, which ran from July 14 to July 25, was spearheaded by the Zimbabwe Midwives and Nurses Association UK (ZIMNA-UK) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with support from UK’s Global Health Partnership.
The initiative aimed to equip local nurses with the latest life-saving techniques in Basic Life Support (BLS), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and emergency response protocols through practical simulation-based learning.
Speaking at the closing ceremony yesterday, Director of Nursing Services in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mrs Nyaradzai Chiwara, described the programme as a powerful and transformational milestone for Zimbabwe’s health sector.
She commended the ZIMNA-UK team for their patriotism, adding that their return to Zimbabwe was a symbol of service and sacrifice.
“This programme didn’t just teach, it equipped. It empowered. It prepared our healthcare workers to be calm, competent, and life-saving in the moments that matter most.
“This training directly supports our national Vision 2030, a vision that calls on everyone to play a role in building a prosperous, healthy Zimbabwe, leaving no one behind,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the initiative was the beginning of sustained partnerships and funding support through the Global Health Partnership and other partners.
The training, which combined theoretical instruction with intensive hands-on practice, produced 201 graduates, including 65 trained as Trainers of Trainers.
Participants are now expected to cascade the training to others within their institutions and beyond, helping to build internal capacity and strengthen the emergency care system.
Sister Tinotenda Manyere, Education and Training lead at ZIMNA-UK, said her experience in the UK had highlighted the importance of modern, evidence-based practice and inspired her to give back to her roots.
“When I moved to England in 2021, I acquired new skills that I believed my colleagues in Zimbabwe would benefit from.
“Nursing is dynamic. We are now in an era of evidence-based practice, and this was a great opportunity to share the knowledge I’ve gained in the diaspora and empower those I trained with,” she said.
ZIMNA-UK director, Sister Jessica Gudza, said the association was formed during the Covid-19 pandemic in response to the growing number of Zimbabwean health professionals migrating to the UK.
“We created ZIMNA to support our own health professionals during a difficult time. We lost close to 39 nurses to Covid-19 in the UK alone. The NHS (National Health Service in the United Kingdom) encouraged us to form a network to support each other emotionally and professionally.
“This training is historic. We have never had so many local nurses trained to train others in resuscitation. It’s a game changer.”
She said ZIMNA had worked with other public health institutions in the country including a donation of equipment worth over US$200 000 to Ngomahuru.
The training incorporated essential themes of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), ensuring the principles of fairness, access and participation were embedded in clinical care and professional development.
One of the participants from Sally Mugabe Hospital, Mr Kudakwashe Mujakati, said the emphasis on inclusivity was eye-opening.
“We were reminded that everyone deserves the chance to prosper, regardless of gender, religion, or social background. We were also taught the importance of policy engagement, evidence-based practice, research and mentoring future leaders. This goes beyond resuscitation, it’s about building a health system that values every voice and every life,” he said.
Sister Vimbai Chizana from Parirenyatwa said the training was transformational and would impact positively on their practice as nurses.
“We are grateful for ZIMNA-UK and this training because I know that it is not easy to train someone who doesn’t have much understanding but you made it happen.
Surgeon in charge of the Accident and Emergency department Dr Eliot Chikati, who spoke on behalf of Sally Mugabe Central Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Mr Hopewell Mungani, applauded the initiative for reviving the values of accountability and professional responsibility in healthcare delivery.
