Tinotenda Hove

Nurses in Zimbabwe’s public health sector are facing escalating financial hardships and difficult working conditions, according to the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA).

The association recently conducted visits to several healthcare facilities across the Midlands Province, including Kwekwe General Hospital, Mbizo 11 Clinic, and Mvuma District Hospital, to assess the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in the country.

ZINA President Enock Dongo spoke to NewsDay about the financial struggles nurses are enduring, highlighting that salaries for the months of January and February were “shockingly low and insufficient” to meet even basic living expenses. Dongo explained:

“The nurses have returned to the salary levels they were earning in October. In February, they received an allowance between US$220 and US$250, while their Zimbabwean dollar salary ranged from Z$4,000 to Z$7,000. Given the current parallel market exchange rate, this amount is simply not enough.”

Along with the meager pay, nurses are enduring challenging working conditions, exacerbating their frustration. Dongo noted that many healthcare workers are finding it difficult to afford transportation costs, and some have been forced to make tough choices regarding basic daily needs due to the inadequate pay.

The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where healthcare facilities are often under-equipped and understaffed. Dongo shared that many rural hospitals lack basic services such as security guards and mortuary attendants, which has forced nurses to take on additional duties outside their normal roles. He added:

“Nurses in rural hospitals are also facing significant accommodation challenges. Without any provision of housing, they are left to use their limited salaries to rent accommodation.”

ZINA’s findings also revealed a severe shortage of medical supplies and staff across the country’s healthcare system, putting immense pressure on the remaining workforce. Nurses are reporting longer shifts, often without the necessary resources to properly care for patients. Overcrowding in hospitals is further complicating efforts to maintain quality healthcare services.

The physical and emotional strain on healthcare workers is growing, and there are concerns that this could lead to burnout and an increasing number of skilled professionals leaving the profession. As Dongo warned, “The toll on nurses is reaching critical levels, and the situation could lead to more people quitting the healthcare sector.”