Nurses graduate

Herald Reporter
ABOUT 100 registered general nurses, 67 midwives and 145 State certified medical laboratory technicians who trained at Chitungwiza Central Hospital graduated yesterday. Speaking at the occasion, educationist Professor Christopher Chetsanga, who was the guest of honour said revitalisation of primary health care is one of the solutions to problems bedevilling the referral hospitals in the country.

Most referral institutions are overcrowded as a result of defiance by the public to follow the referral system which should start at clinics.
Prof Chetsanga said prioritising primary health care would in-turn go a long way in accessing health services easily by those needing it. Primary Health Care entails accessing services at clinic level.

“It is crucial to implement the revitalisation of primary health care in order to achieve UN’s Millennium Development Goals especially the three that are directly related to them,” Prof Chetsanga said.

These are reducing the number of children who die before reaching five years, reducing the number of mothers who die during delivery or related complications and reducing the number of people who die from HIV, malaria and TB. Prof Chetsanga said nursing is a dignified profession as it hinges on preservation of lives.

“Life begins in the maternity ward of a hospital when a woman gives birth. Life also ends in the hospital when treatment fails resulting in death,” he said.

Turning to the laboratory technicians, Prof Chetsanga said their role in health delivery is important as they assist in diagnosis of patients’ conditions.

“I urge you to go out there and bring health services to the suffering multitudes of Zimbabwean. People out there look up to you for advice, counselling and your skills,” he said to the graduands.

Ealier in his welcome remarks, Chitungwiza Central Hospital chief executive Dr Obadiah Moyo said his institution aims at offering quality healthcare to those who are economically disadvantaged.

“Our aim is to compete with the private hospitals even though this is a public institution” he said.
In line with his vision, Dr Moyo said through public private partnerships, they have managed to refurbish some of the wards at the institution and other departments such as eye, dental, renal, laboratories among others.

Health Services Board chairperson Dr Lovemore Mbengeranwa, nursing director in the Health and Child Care ministry Mrs Cynthia Chasokela, laboratory director Dr Douglas Mangwanya, Harare Central Hospital chief executive Ms Peggy Zvavamwe were some of the senior health professionals who attended the occasion.

Several awards of excellence were also given during the same graduation.