Govt must improve doctors, nurses’ conditions of s...

Govt must improve doctors, nurses’ conditions of service: Senate

Zim Now Writer

Senate yesterday called on government to review doctors and nurses salaries, arguing that they play a pivotal role in our lives.

This followed a motion by Chief Chundu on the improvement of doctors and nurses’ conditions of service.

“We were impressed by the wholeheartedness of such men and women despite poor conditions of service in their operational environment as evinced by uncompetitive remuneration, inadequate medical supplies and equipment, shortage of accommodation and transport among other challenges,” he said.

Chief Chundu said in order to address the current challenges in the healthcare delivery sector, government must improve doctors and nurses conditions of service.

“Government to bring in resources and latest equipment to use in times of these communicable diseases like Covid-19 would be of great advantage to us; (c) Provide decent accommodation for doctors and nurses as a reward and appreciation for their sterling effort in combating Covid-19 at the expense of their lives; (d) Ensure that adequate funds are mobilised and availed to enable the Ministry of Health and Child Care to fulfil its obligation on health service delivery without any hindrances, especially in times of communicable disease like Covid-19.

Chief Ngungumbane weighed in saying poor conditions of service have led to health personnel leaving the country for greener pastures.

“Zimbabwe, like all African countries has become a hunting ground for the developed or first world countries. If we look at our skilled personnel, they are moving to look for greener pastures. If we look at our engineers, technicians, nurses and doctors are no exception. What is painful is that a medical doctor is trained for seven years. The resources that would have been invested during the course of seven years and then somebody who has not invested any resources comes and offers better remuneration. Doctors like any other person will be tempted because they have to provide bread on their tables,” he said.

Chef Ngungumbane added that besides improving the conditions of service, government must also address the shortages of medical supplies, equipment and accommodation for doctors. “We have seen positive developments that the Government has done. A visit to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo, doctors’ quarters have been constructed. These are not enough on their own. Doctors are forced to seek accommodation elsewhere where they are forced to pay rent,” he said.

Senator Tongogara seconded the motion adding that the issue of transport for healthcare workers also needed attention.

“You find nurses in white uniforms at bus stops whilst there is shortage of transport. They leave their places in good appearance but by the time they arrive at their workplaces, they will not be as smart as they were when they left their homes. Patients that are attended to by nurses and doctors who are clean quickly heal, these are the things that should be fixed,” said Sen Tongogara.

Senator Mbohwa said the challenges do not only affect doctors and nurses, but all Zimbabwean workers.

“For a nurse and doctor to go to work and be able to perform, they are products of teachers and teachers are produced by parents who work in industries and mines where they look for money. It is quite a challenge because the money is not available, which means that the whole chain is compromised and compromises even the healthcare and education sector.

“So, my point is that we are really saddened and it is our plea that nurses should have proper accommodation and be given descent salaries which are adequate for their sustenance,” he said.

Zimbabwe has been losing skilled personnel to neighbouring countries and others in Europe and the Americas where the lure of better conditions of service is irresistible.