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Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Young Nurses Association has declared its commitment to serve at public health institutions despite the threat posed by Covid-19 and called for collective efforts from all Zimbabweans to observe World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines to avoid putting frontline workers at risk.
While their members are reporting for duty at public health institutions such as Sally Mugabe Hospital, some of their colleagues have withdrawn their services without notice.
The Health Services Board (HSB) has described the month-long industrial action by nurses as illegal saying they rushed to withdraw labour without sufficient notice.
HSB, through the Attorney-General’s Civil Division, said the strike was a threat to people’s constitutional right to health and was likely to cause loss of life and had approached the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare seeking an order declaring the strike illegal.
Nurses withdrew their labour on June 18 and have not returned to work despite the spike in confirmed Covid-19 cases.
The board, which employs the nurses, is demanding an explanation from the Zimbabwe Nurses Association why their strike should not be declared illegal.
The Zimbabwe Young Nurses Association founder Miss Cynthia Shatei-Chisiri said their members were reporting for duty in various public institutions.
More than 360 Registered General Nurses are reporting for duty countrywide, while more than 2000 nurse aides under their armpit are reporting for duty.
“It is high time for Zimbabweans to fight the Covid-19 collectively through observing World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and stick to the Government measures.
“The members of the association are reporting for duty in various hospital despite a surge in positive cases in the country.
“As the Zimbabwe young nurses, we have realised the rapid escalation in Covid-19 cases therefore we would like to set the record clear to the nation that it is now a cause to fight collectively. There has been a rise in local infections as many people have been breaching Covid-19 lockdown measures,’’ said Miss Shatei-Chisiri.
For this reason, she said as nurses they needed to remind the public that the pandemic knew no colour, creed nor race therefore it was the responsibility of every citizen to be cautious and observe WHO guidelines.
Zimbabwe’s total cases are now at 3 921, of which 2 579 are active, 1 016 recovered and 70 have died.
The Government continues to plead with citizens to stay indoors and only leave for unavoidable business such as seeking medical care and buying food, although it is recommended that people should not frequent shops and open markets to minimise contracting the deadly pandemic.
Since March 20 when Covid-19 broke out in Zimbabwe, 134 209 tests have been conducted.
The public is encouraged to wear face masks correctly whilst covering both the mouth and the nose. Miss Shatei-Chisiri warned some rogue elements who are wearing face masks half way to stop spreading the virus.
She further called on people to adhere to lockdown measures such as avoiding gatherings of more than 50 people, avoid unnecessary movements, observing physical and social distance and leave at least 1m to 1.5m apart until the pandemic has been managed.
Online Reporter