Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Zimpapers Reporter
HEALTH personnel in the security services sector have an obligation to lead by example in the discharge of duty and must take a solid stance against drug and substance abuse to ensure preservation of good health for all citizens.
Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Chief of Staff Administration, Major-General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, said this yesterday while officiating at a combined graduation ceremony for 149 students from the army’s Health Services Training School at Imbizo Barracks near Bulawayo yesterday.
He warned security services health personnel against engaging in unprofessional acts including pilferage of medicines and dressings, which attracts severe penalties.
The graduation ceremony also drew students from the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service.
The students undertook courses in Registered General Nursing (RGN), which had 30 students, State Certified
Traumatology Nurse (SCTN), which had 35 students, the same number as Environmental Health Techñicians (EHT).
The Medical Assistants Class Two (MA111) had 49 students.
“Always be fully conscience of and adhere to professional standards and ethics as you discharge your duties from time to time,” said Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi.
“Pilferage of medicines and dressings shall not be tolerated and your commanders are not going to condone such actions.
“You are strongly warned to desist from such acts of dishonesty as stern measures will be taken against offenders.”
He urged the graduates to discharge their duties diligently and to the best of their scope of practice and competence.
“Let there be no room for malpractices and dishonesty as it puts the lives of fellow servicemen and women at risk,” said Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi.
He said the need for human resources in the form of health care workers is ever increasing and cannot be overlooked due to emerging diseases, health emergencies and the traditional disease burden.
Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi also said emerging diseases have caused enormous challenges globally to health delivery systems, socio-economic activities and to the general well-being of mankind.
The effects of these health challenges are more pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing economies and Zimbabwe is no exception, he added.
“Our situation is compounded by the illegal sanctions imposed by the western countries as a punitive action in response to our noble cause to correct colonial injustices — the land issue,” said Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi.
He warned the graduates against drug and substance abuse, which have of late become a health emergency that threatens socio- economic activities, health delivery systems and more crucially, security of nations.
What is disturbing, said Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi, is the fact that the most afflicted group is the youths.
“Let me hasten to say that as health professionals, you are not immune to this vice of drug, alcohol and substance abuse. I, therefore, call upon you all to shun and desist from engaging in such practices,” he said.
“Abuse of drugs and substance destroys one’s future and family and the nation at large. I urge you all to be torch-bearers in combating this vice.” Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi said the graduates will augment the health delivery system in security organs and the nation at large, which dovetails well with the country’s vision of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 as enunciated in the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS1).
“May I impress it upon you graduates that your chosen profession is a calling and as such it requires commitment, right attitude and above all self-sacrifice,” he said.
“The sanctity of life is of paramount importance and the sick look up to you to alleviate their suffering and promotion of recovery,” said Maj-Gen Tapfumaneyi.
