Zimbabwe's Health Minister Appeals for Nurses to Suspend Strike

Harare – Zimbabwe's Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, has urged nurses to call off their three-day nationwide strike and return to negotiations, warning that continued industrial action risks lives in an already overstretched public health system.

Speaking to members of the press on Monday, April 20, the Minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) over salaries and working conditions.

He said the government recognised the importance of these issues and was committed to addressing them through appropriate channels.

"An extraordinary technical meeting has been convened between the Health Ethics Panel and the Health Services Commission," Dr Mombeshora said.

"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 appeal comes as reports emerge of partial withdrawal of services at some hospitals and clinics on the first day of the strike, which ZINA president, Enock Dongo, confirmed was proceeding after nurses rejected what they described as a token salary adjustment of between US$30 and US$40 in the April pay cycle.

The nurses say they were expecting a far more substantial increase, in the region of US$550 to US$600, following earlier assurances during negotiations.

"The Government of Zimbabwe... remains committed to addressing issues that affect the well-being of its citizens," Dr Mombeshora said, adding that, " the Ministry therefore appeals to these health workers who have withdrawn their services to suspend the industrial action and allow space for constructive dialogue and orderly engagement in the best interests of the patients and the nation at large."