Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has applauded the commitment and resilience of healthcare workers while reiterating its commitment to prioritising their health and safety as a critical pillar in delivering high-quality patient care across the country.
This includes affording health sector workers time for special examinations and attending to their own health.
Gweru Provincial Hospital (GPH) Medical Superintendent, Dr Fabian Mashingaidze, said this while addressing health care workers who attended a recent Health Expo held at the hospital.
The event served as a timely reminder of the need to prioritise healthcare workers’ health and safety, and offered an opportunity for workers to reflect on their own health and well-being, enhance their knowledge of workplace safety, and promote preventive practices.
“It’s my great honour to stand before you today at this important Health Expo, dedicated to the very people who form the backbone of our healthcare system — our healthcare workers,” said Dr Mashingaidze.
“This gathering is more than just an event; it is a powerful reminder that while we care for others, we must also care for ourselves.”
Dr Mashingaidze said despite rising workloads, emerging diseases, and resource constraints, healthcare workers have remained dedicated, resilient, and compassionate.
He said in their daily work, health care workers are exposed to numerous occupational hazards — biological, chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial.
“These risks, if not properly managed, can affect not only our health but also the quality of care we provide. Today’s expo comes at a critical time.
“Across our health sector, we continue to face increasing workloads, emerging diseases, and resource constraints,” he said.
Dr Mashingaidze said despite these challenges, health care workers have remained committed, resilient, and compassionate.
“For that, we say thank you. This health expo provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our own health and well-being, strengthen our knowledge of workplace safety, promote preventive practices such as screening and early detection, and reinforce the importance of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (Hira) in our daily work,” he said.
Dr Mashingaidze also called on healthcare workers to lead by example, saying that a healthy workforce is essential for a functional health system.
He said when health care workers prioritise their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, they improve not only their lives but also patients’ outcomes.
“Let us use this platform to engage actively with the available services, learn from one another, commit to safer workplace practices, and support colleagues who may be experiencing stress or burnout,” said Dr Mashingaidze.
“I urge each one of you to take this message seriously — your health matters. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Take time to care for yourself, just as you tirelessly care for others. Let this health expo be a turning point — where we strengthen our commitment to occupational health, safety, and overall well-being,” he said.
The expo marked a step towards strengthening the commitment to occupational health, safety, and overall well-being, ultimately benefiting both healthcare workers and the communities they serve.
