adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council clinics have been hit by a critical shortage of nurses.
The local authority, through its department of Health Services, has appealed to be allowed to recruit more nursing staff.According to the latest council minutes, most clinics are operating without nurses responsible for administering Antiretroviral Therapy resulting in the few available nurses doubling their responsibilities.
Council officials now fear the health workers could suffer from burnout, if more nurses are not recruited urgently. Chief Environmental Health officer Zvapano Munganasa has been tasked to engage the Ministry of Health and Child Care over the matter so that the local authority is granted permission to recruit more nurses for its clinics.
Masvingo City Council runs three primary health centres namely Rujeko, Runyararo and Mucheke clinics. The three clinics offer ART programmes.
“Shortage of nursing staff in council clinics was highlighted and it was agreed that the matter be taken to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care. We’re seeking authority to employ additional nurses to cope with the ART programme.
Town clerk, Adolf Gusha together with the Chief Health Officer, should engage the Ministry’s permanent secretary to facilitate employment of additional nursing staff in council clinics. This will improve health service delivery,” reads the report.
Munganasa confirmed all council clinics need additiona nurses as they were operating with a depleted staff.
He said plans were underway to present their issue as council to the ministry.
“It is true that we do not have enough nurses for our clinics. At Runyararo Clinic, there are only three registered general nurses. The same applies for Rujeko Clinic. Mucheke has four nurses. We need two additional nurses for each health centre. We’re going to engage the responsible ministry over the matter so that we’re allowed to employ.
“Our nurses are overwhelmed by work and this is not good. Nurses run the risk of suffering from burnout. Another challenge is that we do not have many nurses trained in administering ART. Most HIV/Aids patients are now utilising clinics, so it is important for us to recruit,” said Munganasa.
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