Victor Maphosa and Obey Musiwa
TECHNOLOGY is important but it will never replace the human touch which nurses bring to their profession, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.
Dr Aspect Maunganidze was speaking at a ceremony in Harare yesterday where two hundred and thirty seven nurses graduated at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
The Class had 77 general nurses and 160 specialists. Every specialist programme reported a 100 percent pass rate. It’s another big step towards the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s goal of adding more than 50,000 health workers by 2030.
That will double the workforce.
The nurses enter a health system under growing strain from cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. “I described nurses as central to the health system and the 237 graduates join a pipeline of 550 students currently enrolled across general and post-basic programme,” Dr Maunganidze said.
“Technology can help us monitor patients and improve clinical decisions but it will never replace the human touch.
“A patient, who is unwell, should not have to become unwell again because of the way we handled them.” Parirenyatwa Group chief medical officer, Dr Tsitsi Mildred Magure, said modern equipment and infrastructure alone cannot transform healthcare and that the quality of its people decides the outcome.
She said the group wants its School of Nursing to lead specialist nurse education and support the spread of specialist services across the country.
“It is the skilled hands, knowledgeable minds, and compassionate hearts of our healthcare professionals that ultimately make the difference.
“The lives you serve, the suffering you alleviate, and the dignity you restore to those entrusted to your care are the true measure of success,” she told graduates.
Principal tutor, Rachel Longwe, led the refurbishment of student housing under the Presidential Renovation Programme, lifting morale and learning. She said occupancy at Adlam House rose from 119 to 222 students.
“A well-rested student is better placed to learn effectively in the classroom,” Longwe said.
“Remember that you, too, may one day become a patient.”
Principal tutor, Mary Musvipa, said the Post Basic School is the only institution in Zimbabwe training senior nurses in community nursing and nursing administration.
“It has trained 1,184 community nurses and its 2025 pass rate was 100 percent in both diplomas.”
The school’s challenge, she said, is infrastructure “which needs replacement and expansion.”
Principal tutor of the School of Midwifery, Nyaradzo Pabwaungana, said the institution has kept a 100 per cent pass rate for the past 10 years, with its students winning gold, silver and bronze medals in national final examinations.
“No woman should die while giving birth,” she said. “Be the midwife our mothers, newborns and nation deserve,” she said.
Meanwhile, about 194 health professionals graduated at Marondera Provincial Hospital yesterday.
The graduates were trained in general nursing, midwifery and medical rehabilitation technology.
There was jubilation as the graduates received their certificates after completing their studies.
The graduation ceremony was presided over by Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Minister Itayi Ndudzo.
“Today, ladies and gentlemen, we celebrate achievement and the beginning of a calling to protect life, relieve suffering, restore function and serve every person with skill and compassion.
“To our 194 graduands, comprising 146 general nurses, 29 midwives and 19 medical rehabilitation technicians, I say ‘welcome to the life-serving profession’ and congratulations.
“Indeed, your achievement reflects many hours of study, clinical practice and perseverance.
“I also thank your parents and families, tutors, clinical mentors, already trained nurses you met whilst on training and the institution whose support helped bring you to this day.” Advocate Ndudzo highlighted the importance of a quality health delivery system to national development.
