The government has admitted it does not have the financial capacity to meet growing salary demands by nurses, with Deputy Health and Child Care Minister Sleiman Kwidini saying authorities could not “break the bank” to pay nurses and that no one could adequately reward them for the work they do because “only God can reward a nurse.”
Speaking during International Nurses Day commemorations at The Avenues Clinic on Monday, Kwidini addressed mounting frustrations within Zimbabwe’s public health sector as nurses continue demanding salaries of between US$600 and US$800 amid deteriorating working conditions and shortages of medical supplies and equipment.
“We were laughing the other day, discussing the industrial action by public health institution nurses,” Kwidini was quoted by ZiFM saying.
“We asked ourselves if there is anyone in this world with the capacity to adequately pay a nurse. A nurse can not be paid by anyone, and only God can reward a nurse.”
His remarks come as nurses across the country intensify pressure on government over wages reportedly ranging from below US$300 to around US$500 per month in some cases.
Kwidini acknowledged government’s financial limitations, saying authorities could not afford to significantly increase salaries beyond available resources.
“Even if as nurses you demand any amount of money, it can never be enough,” he said.
“It doesn’t make sense to break the bank for nurses, yet we do not have enough money, that would be a lie, but your welfare will be gradually improved.”
The deputy minister also defended the refurbishment of nurses’ accommodation at Parirenyatwa Hospital following criticism on social media over the prioritisation of housing projects while salaries remain low.
“We realised that the renovations at Parirenyatwa Hospital caused some tension on social media,” he said.
“Some argued why priority was given to refurbishment of nurses’ houses, but the reality is patient care starts when the welfare of the nurse is catered for and we will not compromise.”
Kwidini described nursing as emotionally and psychologically demanding work, saying few people could endure prolonged exposure to hospital environments.
“Ask anyone to be in a hospital setup for a few hours,” he said.
“They end up uncomfortable and end up saying inhumane remarks about patients, which shows how delicate your job is.”
He also criticised what he described as mistrust and negative attitudes within the profession, claiming some nurses avoided seeking treatment at their own workstations.
“When a nurse falls sick, they opt to seek care from nurses from other stations away from their own because of this behavior that you display which is negative,” he said.
“I don’t know of any nurse who would take their sick parent to their workstation for care with their direct colleagues, and this attitude must shift.”
Kwidini said President Emmerson Mnangagwa appreciated the role played by nurses and supported improvements in remuneration within the limits of the country’s resources.
“You have initiated conversation and dialogue on welfare,” he said. “But at times it is not you who will benefit, it is those that come after you.”
Zimbabwe’s public healthcare system is facing mounting pressure amid staff shortages, industrial action and continued migration of health professionals to countries offering better salaries and working conditions.
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