STRIKING health workers must return to work and save lives
while Government addresses their grievances, Vice President Constantino
Chiwenga, who is the Health and Child Care Minister, has said.
VP Chiwenga made the call while addressing farmers at the
launch of the Climate-Proofed Presidential-Inputs Programme at Nyabvuti Farm in
Guruve.
He said Government was aware of the challenges being faced
by workers in the health sector and pleaded for patience as authorities were
working on solving the issues affecting them, although he noted that
long-standing issues were not going to be totally solved instantly.
“We are working hard to improve our health delivery system
at ward, village, district, province up to referral institutions. We are
strengthening our system so that people can access medication easily.
“Our health workers are on strike. We are encouraging them
to return to work so we that we can save lives. While we are aware of their
grievances, they should also consider saving lives. We are not blind to your
issues. We are working hard to assist but you should also consider lives of
patients,” he said.
The Vice President pleaded with nurses to be patient as
authorities find solutions to their problems.
“While we are addressing your grievances, we cannot expect
a solution overnight. These challenges have been accumulating over a long
period and will also take a little bit of time to be addressed. We are one
family, one people and we need to unite and help each other. We have launched
the Pfumvudza programme, which is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity.
But people cannot work if they are not in good health,” he said.
He also took the opportunity to encourage farmers to follow
the Covid-19 lockdown regulations to prevent the spread of the infection.
Mashonaland Central has 71 Covid-19 cases and two deaths and those in the
province needed to adhere to the health regulations.
“We are fighting an invisible enemy. This disease does not
discriminate. The best is for us to protect ourselves through social
distancing, sanitising hands and also seeking medical attention early if we
fall sick,” he said.
Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial
Affairs and Devolution, Monica Mavhunga urged people to limit movements as that
could lead to the spread of the disease.
“We now have 71 cases of Covid-19. Let us follow the
regulations laid down by Government. This disease is real,” she said. Chronicle
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