Source: Government convenes urgent talks to resolve nurses’ strike – herald
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke, rumbidzai.zvinyuke@gmail.co.zw
GOVERNMENT has convened an extraordinary meeting between the Health Apex Panel and the Health Services Commission in a bid to resolve ongoing industrial action by nurses, amid growing concerns over service disruptions at public health institutions.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora yesterday said the high-level engagement was aimed at urgently addressing grievances raised by nurses’ representatives and restoring normal operations in affected facilities.
“Government recognises the importance of these concerns and reaffirms its commitment to continued engagement through the appropriate channels,” he said.
“In this regard, an extraordinary technical meeting has been convened between the Health Apex Panel and the Health Services Commission.”
The industrial action by nurses has disrupted services across the public health sector, with workers citing concerns over salaries and working conditions.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association has highlighted challenges, including low remuneration, inadequate staffing and limited access to essential medical supplies.
Dr Mombeshora said the talks would provide a structured platform to address these issues while safeguarding the delivery of critical health services.
“Processes are underway to review the concerns in a structured and responsible manner, guided by the need to balance the delivery of critical health services with the welfare of health workers,” he said.
“The Ministry, therefore, appeals to those health workers, who have withdrawn their services to suspend the industrial action and allow space for constructive dialogue and orderly engagement, in the best interests of patients and the nation at large.”
Dr Mombeshora added that Government remains committed to resolving the concerns, noting that the Second Republic prioritises both the well-being of citizens and the welfare of health workers.
In recent years, Government has introduced measures such as non-monetary incentives and allowances to retain health workers.
Some of the non-monetary incentives include duty-free importation of personal vehicles, houses and housing stands.
This month, Government began implementing a revised remuneration structure for civil servants, with workers set to start receiving adjusted salaries last week.
The salary adjustments were part of broader efforts to enhance the welfare of public sector workers, alongside ongoing economic stabilisation measures, including the strengthening of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
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