Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
GOVERNMENT is edging closer to fulfilling its goal of establishing a school of nursing in every district, with preparations now underway to open a new health training institution at Guruve District Hospital by January next year.
Speaking during an assessment tour of the facility yesterday, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Sleiman Kwidini said the expansion directly fulfils President Mnangagwa’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) agenda to decentralise critical social services and leave no person or place behind.
“No one should travel more than 4km to seek medical help,” Deputy Minister Kwidini said. “Nurses are the backbone of the Ministry, and to ensure all our clinics and hospitals have adequate personnel, we must train more healthcare workers locally.”
The upcoming institution will mark Mashonaland Central’s seventh nursing school, following the commissioning of Chimhanda School of Nursing in Rushinga District during the 2026 Provincial Independence Day celebrations.
To address long-standing staffing shortages caused by urban migration, the Government has introduced a localised recruitment policy for the facility’s initial intake of 20 students.
“Half of the first intake, 10 out of 20 students, will come directly from Guruve District, while the remaining half will come from other districts within the province.
“Previously, we have had challenges whereby students from Guruve go for nurse training in Harare or other big towns. After experiencing life there, they then refuse to come back.
“However, this time Guruve District will be in charge. It will be responsible for enrolling local students and, after completing their training, they will obviously not refuse to remain in their area. Under NDS2, we are not going to leave anyone or any place behind.”
Guruve District Hospital Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Nyasha Maguwudze noted that the hospital is repurposing its former family planning training unit to meet the January deadline, citing existing classrooms, demonstration rooms and staff accommodation as key advantages.
“We already have the basic structural footprint required to kick-start training,” Dr Maguwudze said, adding that community partners and local business leaders have agreed to fund additional classroom blocks to support future student intakes.
Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Timothy Maregere commended the Ministry’s intervention, adding that the school will improve access to medical training for remote communities.
“The establishment of a School of Nursing at Guruve District Hospital will not only serve Guruve District, but will also provide easier access to nursing education for communities stretching into the Mbire Valley and other surrounding areas.
“The province is confident that this development will enhance the training of our health personnel and significantly improve staff retention within the province.” The development has been welcomed by the local community, with residents noting that it restores hope and opens up clear career pathways for school leavers.
“We have children who passed exceptionally well in their O-Levels and were just stuck at home, and this will be an opportunity for them to start nursing,” said local resident Sheila Rupende. “Also, some children were no longer valuing O-Levels, knowing that they would not get jobs, so this will also give them motivation.”
