THE countrywide strike by nurses at public hospitals which
started on Friday continued into the weekend with the health professionals
saying they would only resume duty after receiving United States-dollar
salaries and protective equipment from their employer.
Most major hospitals in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare
were yesterday being manned by skeletal staff, mainly student nurses who
complained of fatigue.
NewsDay witnessed hundreds of patients being turned away at
Victoria Chitepo Hospital in Mutare while the situation was dire at
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare where most departments were virtually
empty, including the paediatric emergency department which is normally spared.
However, at Chitungwiza Hospital it was business as usual
with nurses working normally. Anthony Majongosi, who represented nurses at the
United Bulawayo Hospitals said: “Nurses are still on strike until government
agrees to our demands.”
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive officer
Solwayo Ngwenya told journalsts that out of 80 nurses stationed at the health
institution, only 21 reported for duty on Saturday.
“Yes, it’s still a strike. A total of 21 out of 80 nurses
expected to be on duty are at work. No doctors are on strike. A few student
nurses and student midwives are also at work,” he said.
Ngwenya said the institution was still waiting for COVID-19
results for the 197 nurses who were forced into self-isolation a few weeks ago
after getting in contact with confirmed cases at the institution.
A student nurse in Mutare, who spoke on condition of
anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they had no choice, but to report for
work.
We are only few student nurses and general hand workers who
have come to work today (yesterday) and we are tired. We have been working
since Friday and have only rested for few hours,” she said
Another weighed in: “Yes, we are tired but the situation is
even more dangerous as we do not even have protective clothing as we fear the
deadly coronavirus. We are students and we have no option but to continue to
come work,” she added.
Manicaland provincial medical director Solomon Nyadundu
could not be reached for comment. Newsday
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