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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, Senior Health Reporter
IMPROVING the welfare of health workers remains a top priority for the Government to ensure the attainment of national development goals as well as the universal health coverage, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 316 nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare yesterday, Dr Mombeshora said they are considering a number of measures to motivate the workforce so they diligently deliver services for Zimbabweans to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
“My ministry recognises that the health workforce is critical to the attainment of the Vision 2030,” he said. “It is against this background that the MoHCC has developed a Health Workforce Strategic Plan 2023-2030 to address key human resources for health issues and gaps.
“Health workforce education, training and development is one of the main strategic pillars that has been identified as key in the attainment of this vision.”
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In pursuing the goal of urgent acceleration of the universal health coverage index to at least 80 index points from the current 55 index points, Dr Mombeshora said they have set a target of doubling the health workforce to over 50 000 by 2030 while creating and sustaining at least 32 000 additional jobs in the sector.
There are plans to also reduce health workforce attrition by 50 percent through appropriate retention measures.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora,(centre) follow proceedings while flanked by Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Charles Tawengwa, (right) and Parirenyatwa Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tsitsi Magure during Parirenyatwa Nurses and Midwives graduation day in Harare Yesterday.- Picture Memory Mangombe
Dr Mombeshora emphasised the need to increase outputs in nurses’ training schools through expansion in training capacity, refurbishment and re-purposing and expansion of existing health training institutions.
“Retooling and equipping of all health training institutions will be prioritised, with expansion of the existing training institutions and establishment of new ones to increase the training output,” he added.
Cabinet recently approved the Health Workforce Compact, which provides the framework for resource mobilisation towards attaining increased training outputs and retention of the health workforce.
Dr Mombeshora commended the 316 graduates for remaining committed to providing quality care for all people.
He encouraged the graduates to help rebuild the citizens’ confidence in the health sector.
“Allow me to remind all health care workers that we are all called to serve and all our efforts must be centred on improving patient experiences and thus we must discharge our duties professionally.
“Our institutions must be known for good hard work instead of being known as institutions that house rude and uncaring nurses.
“This narrative must end and I implore all of us to show empathy and a high standard of professionalism,” he said. Dr Mombeshora said the 316 graduate nurses were from different specialties.
Graduates follow proceedings during Parirenyatwa group of hospital nurses and midwives graduation and prize giving day in Harare yesterday.- Picture: Memory Mangombe
Among the 316 nurses that graduated yesterday, were 180 registered general nurses (RGN), 43 post basic graduate nurses in administration and community nursing, 38 midwives, five oncology nurses, seven operating theatre nurses, 11 intensive and coronary care nurses, 10 nurse anaesthetists, four renal nurses and 18 ophthalmic nurses.
Parirenyatwa chief medical officer, Dr Tsitsi Magure, said: “We are fully cognisant of the fact that the nation faces a critical shortage of tutors and clinical instructors to train enough nurse cadres to meet the needs of the health sector in Zimbabwe.
“We are committed to do everything in our power to increase our output using various means chief among them is the use of digital platforms to deliver lectures to bigger student intakes onsite and off-site.”
The graduates expressed commitment to continue working towards access to quality health care by all.
Said RGN Blessing Mapuranga: “I am feeling very happy to get my first diploma and I am geared to continue improving myself academically in this profession.
“I have a passion to help others and I believe I will be able to do this while doing nursing.”
Another graduate, Mr Abraham Maviza, said: “Finally, we have made it. We are here to provide a conducive health environment for the attainment of Vision 2030 and we are here to serve the nation.”
Sister Cynthia Bisalom, who graduated as an advanced midwife, said: “I am so happy; it feels good to be graduating. I hope to make a difference in the field of midwifery.”
Participants follow proceedings during Parirenyatwa group of hospital nurses and midwives graduation and prize giving day in Harare yesterday.- Picture: Memory Mangombe
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