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Nurses working at public health institutions have implored the Government to improve their salaries and conditions of service and have requested a meeting with their employer within the next 14 days.
In a letter to the Health Services Commission (HSC), dated 24 May 2023 and addressed to the HSC acting secretary-general Angelbert Mbengwa, Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo said nurses have been pushed to the limit of their endurance. He wrote:
<blockquote>
Firstly it is a matter of great regret that precedent is seemingly showing that the plight of nurses is not an issue of concern to the employer.
The Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel, which is supposed to be the forum in which issues are discussed has been deliberately made useless as it has not met in the past two years despite our persistent request for it to sit and discuss issues.
As nurses, our morale is at its lowest ever. We are working under extremely poor conditions that are not only unsafe to patients but even unsafe to ourselves.
Even our capacity to withstand pain has been pushed to the extreme because on a daily basis, we see patients dying simply because basic medication and equipment that could potentially save their lives are not in stock at our hospitals.
</blockquote>
The amended Health Services Act prohibits public healthcare workers from striking for more than 72 hours.
Health workers, who go on strike face disciplinary action, while organisers of such strikes can face imprisonment of up to six months or both.
But Dongo said threatening nurses with arrest or withholding the letter of good standing does not address the challenges that they are facing. He said:
<blockquote>
We, therefore, urge our employer to have a listening ear and seriously consider our plight. To refuse to meet us is not the answer.
To simply say we will arrest you if you strike is not the answer. To withhold the necessary letter of good standing so as to sabotage our efforts to seek employment in other jurisdictions is not the answer.
We, therefore, kindly, but urgently request a meeting with you and interested stakeholders within the next 14 days so as to find solutions for the good of our health sector.
</blockquote>
Contacted for comment by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200012090/nurses-put-govt-on-notice">NewsDay</a>, Mbengwa said he had not yet received the letter. 
He added that should the commission receive the letter, it would “look into the issues raised”.
Nurses currently earn US$200 in allowances and another U$100 in local currency which they say does not meet their basic needs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Nurses Demands Meeting With Health Services Commission

Zimbabwe’s health workers have condemned a new law that outlaws any industrial action, saying it will exacerbate the exodus of health professionals.
The Health Service Amendment Act which came into force on Tuesday prohibits health workers who are classified as an “essential” service from striking for more than three days.
The Act stipulates that those who do not comply face a fine or imprisonment of up to six months.
Enock Dongo, president of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) said the new piece of legislation takes away health workers’ right to protest. He said:
<blockquote>
After the rejection of the bill by various stakeholders, they still went ahead to pass it. It is very unfortunate. The right to protest has been taken away.
… They tried to be clever, saying we are allowed to strike for three days, but we all know that even when we down tools for more days they do not want to negotiate.
</blockquote>
According to the Health Services Board (HSB), Zimbabwe has lost more than 4,000 doctors and nurses to the UK and other countries since 2021. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>
When you threaten health workers with jail, how do you expect them to discharge their duties?
This will affect every citizen, nurses will just adopt a ‘go-slow’ [approach to work].
</blockquote>
Norman Matara, the president of the Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) said:
<blockquote>
This law has taken us two steps backward. We have been trying to fight brain drain. 
Further frustration of health workers would lead to more people leaving. This bill will bring more negatives than positives.
This bill was widely rejected by all health professionals and even after the parliamentary consultations, this bill was rejected by the people.
To see the bill being drafted into law without amendments is quite sad.
</blockquote>
Government health workers have been demanding a living wage of US$540 a month but the government has said it cannot afford to meet their demands.
Nurses in Zimbabwe are paid less than US$100 a month excluding allowances. | <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jan/12/health-workers-in-zimbabwe-dismayed-as-law-curbing-strikes-is-passed">The Guardian</a>

Health Workers In Zimbabwe Condemn Law Curbing Strikes

Some civil service unions have commended the government for awarding civil servants bonuses this year, according to <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/its-a-good-feeling-civil-servants-cheered-by-bonus/">H-Metro</a>, a state-run publication.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) indicated in a statement that the bonus will be paid out in two equal batches in November and December.
APEX Council of Zimbabwe president, David Dzatsunga, is quoted as having said workers were happy with the gesture. Dzatsunga reportedly said:
<blockquote>
The feeling is one of gratitude. We really appreciate this gesture, although we would have wanted more.
The generality of civil servants are happy as it’s better than previous years.
We believe this is the beginning and just a general gesture of appreciation. As usual, we expect more, but the Government has done well.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZNA) president, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Enock_Dongo">Enock Dongo</a> is also said to have said echoed Dzatsunga’s remarks. Dongo is cited as saying:
<blockquote>
Yes, this is a good development since everyone who worked during Covid-19 deserves to be thanked. It would have been best if the Government had given us yese ka one, but it will come in batches, which is still fine, but we wanted to buy zvinhu zvacho at once.
</blockquote>
Correspondence from a recent National Joint Negotiation Committee (NJNC) stated that the payment of the 2022 bonus for deputy director level and grades below will be in US dollars as 100% of gross pensionable emoluments (basic salary, transport and housing allowance. 
An additional US$200 will be paid to every employee as a special presidential bonus.
Meanwhile, Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) president <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Masaraure">Obert Masaraure</a> recently said the <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/civil-servants-say-the-100-bonus-remains-paltry/">100% bonus remains paltry because it is 100% of a paltry income</a>. He added: 
<blockquote>
We insist that salaries should be adjusted to the pre-October 2018 level. 
</blockquote>
He also lamented the payment of bonuses in instalments saying the arrangement will further erode the purchasing power of the bonus. 
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Apex Council Says Civil Servants Are Happy To Receive Bonuses

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has welcomed the decision by the government to extend its waiver on the re-appointment of health workers who had left the service to March 31, 2023, from September 30 this year.
ZINA president Enock Dongo told <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/desperate-government-extends-reappointment-period-for-fired-retired-nurses-as-health-workers-flight-to-greener-pastures-persists/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> that the extension was the government’s admission that things were not well in the health sector. He said:
<blockquote>
This is a clear admission on the part of government that things are not well in the health sector.
A lot of health workers have left for greener pastures and the private sector, leaving gaps that have not been filled.
Government’s call is very serious and we support the return of those who are eligible so as to give service to the public, the most affected by current shortages.
These professionals have not just left services for no apparent reason; they left because of poor working conditions, poor remuneration, intimidation by the state and a general lack of dialogue between the employer and employee.
These have to be addressed, otherwise these re-appointments will be premature. If government fails to do so then they will either look at their colleagues who are still employed and opt not to join or join and leave again.
</blockquote>
According to a letter signed by Health Services Board acting executive director, Angelbert Mbengwa, the government extended the waiver by six months. It reads:
<blockquote>
It is noted that the Board extended the waiver of reappointment for former health workers who need to rejoin the service to Central Hospitals and Provincial Medical Directors for a period of six months from 01 April 2022 to 30 September 2022.
Please be advised that the waiver has been extended for a further period of six months from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 to facilitate urgent appointments to fill vacant posts in institutions.
However, the reappointment of the following categories shall be centralized at the Board; all former nurses applying to rejoin the service, members who were discharged from the service on grounds of misconduct, convicted of a criminal offence, or terminated through medical grounds.
In view of the above, Central Hospitals and Provincial Medical Directors shall continue approving applications for reappointment of the other grades as communicated before. Institutions should thus submit the applications for the above two categories to the Board.
The General Manager of the Salary Service Bureau is therefore being instructed to accept reappointments authorised at stations in line with the above framework.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s public sector is experiencing an exodus of health workers fleeing poor working conditions and poor remuneration to better-paying countries in Europe, Namibia, and America, among others.

Union Welcomes Govt Re-hiring Of Fired And Retired Nurses

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo says the dire state of the country’s public health sector is contributing to brain drain and an acute shortage of staff.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/health/article/200000700/hospitals-face-acute-staff-shortage">NewsDay</a>, Dongo said most health facilities are dilapidated which makes the work of nurses difficult. He said:
<blockquote>
The health sector is going down and the infrastructure is not up to standard and renovations are not being done.
Complaints to access health facilities are too many among the patients and the health personnel.
There are no resources and machines are old and there has not been any purchase for the last three to four years for major hospitals.
There is a need for modern machines like X-rays and scans among others.
It is sad that in public hospitals, simple drugs like paracetamol and painkillers are inaccessible.
It becomes difficult when patients are transferred from places like Tshelanyemba, Mtshabezi, and Plumtree, among others and they don’t have relatives in the city and are told to buy medication that they don’t afford, it’s a dire situation that needs attention.
</blockquote>
Political leaders in Mashonaland Central Province recently revealed that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabweans-cross-into-zambia-and-mozambique-for-medical-care/">some locals are being forced to cross the border into Zambia and Mozambique to seek medical attention.</a>
This is due to the high cost of medical care in Zimbabwe as well as the long distances they have to travel to get to the nearest hospital.

Zim's Health Sector Going Down - Dongo

Civil servants have criticised the government’s decision to pay the annual bonuses based on workers’ performances with some saying the government is looking for a scapegoat to withhold their 13th cheque.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has since issued a circular to line ministries stating that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-says-bonus-will-only-be-paid-based-on-performance-appraisal-reports/">future end-of-year bonuses will be performance-based – starting this year.</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/govt-says-bonus-will-only-be-paid-based-on-performance-appraisal-reports/">Govt Says Bonus Will ONLY Be Paid Based On Performance Appraisal Reports</a></li>
</ul>
Zimbabwe’s 350 000 civil servants have been paid a blanket end-of-year bonus all along. 
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/workers-union-criticises-govt-for-adopting-performance-based-bonus-system/">Unions</a> have, however, protested, saying this was targeted at their members for going on strike to demand better salaries.
Earlier this year, the government introduced a “no-work no-pay” policy after civil servants downed tools protesting poor salaries and working conditions.
A number of teachers were also suspended.
Government workers have been engaged in periodic protests to demand the restoration of their pre-October 2018 salaries which were around US$540.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said public workers deserved the 13th cheque.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and ensure all State workers receive bonuses. He told NewsDay:
<blockquote>
It is not fair for government to come at the 11th hour and make decisions that affect its workers. We are expecting those bonuses next month but government has decided otherwise.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union secretary-general Douglas Chikobvu concurred with Dongo’s remarks adding:
<blockquote>
We strongly feel that the government might be trying to get a scapegoat to undercharge us and avoid paying our bonuses decently. Above all, there is nothing to smile at given that most workers are wallowing in abject poverty courtesy of the government measly wage.
</blockquote>
Organising secretary for Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions, Farai Chinosengwa said the policy might trigger sexual harassment at workplaces where women will be abused to get favourable performance appraisal reports.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Performance-based Bonuses: Civil Servants Say Govt Looking For Scapegoat To Withhold 13th Cheque

The coordinator for the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Premier_Service_Medical_Aid_Society">Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS)</a> members in the civil service, Dr Pisirai Ndarukwa, has accused union leaders, Dr Tapiwanashe Kusotera and Mr Enock Dongo of fronting personal interests under the guise of representing public servants.
Dongo is the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president while Kusotera is a PSMAS member. <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/leaders-in-psmas-saga-exposed/">The Herald</a>, a state-run publication, quotes Ndarukwa as saying:
<blockquote>
Dongo is no longer a civil servant hence he cannot fully appreciate our concerns. That is why they are blaming the Government when it is not involved in the PSMAS case.
PSMAS has failed its members, and as members we want our card to be accepted at health institutions.
I do not see where the Government comes in, in this case. By blaming the Government on the PSMAS case, I think Dongo is serving interests which are not known to us.
As for Dr Kusotera, he uses the medical aid subscribed for by his wife who is employed at PSMAS. I think he does not face the same challenges confronted by ordinary civil servants when they seek services using the PSMAS card.
We feel he wants the status quo at PSMAS to remain since he is benefiting directly through his wife who is employed there.
</blockquote>
The unions blame the Government for the failures at PSMAS, which is supposed to provide medical aid for civil servants.
Dongo said while there is mismanagement at PSMAS, the Government must not involve itself in the affairs of the service provider. 
Kusotera said he is a member of PSMAS adding that their concern with the government is that it wants to be a member of the society, “which is wrong.” 
Civil servants have been complaining that PSMAS has failed its members who are automatically up to date with their remittances, but in some cases see their medical aid being turned away by healthcare service providers who say the time taken for payment is far too long.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

PSMAS Coordinator Accuses Union Leaders Of Fronting Personal Interests

Government workers’ unions protested in Harare on Monday in an attempt to stop the Public Service Commission (PSC) from taking over the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Premier_Service_Medical_Aid_Society">Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS</a>).
Hundreds of workers yesterday picketed at the Public Service Association House along Livingstone Avenue in Harare after police, armed with baton sticks and shields blocked them from leaving the area.
Initially, the civil servants’ unions had planned to march from the Public Service Association House to the PSC offices, but police were closely monitoring their movements and cordoned off the area.
The workers then handed over a petition to the government saying that it has no mandate to take over PSMAS.
PSC secretary <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Jonathan_Wutawunashe">Jonathan Wutawunashe</a> yesterday dismissed the claims that the government was planning to take over PSMAS. Wutawunashe said:
<blockquote>
Any claim that any government ministry, department or agency plans to ‘take over’ PSMAS is as false as it sounds. Fortunately, civil servants and the public at large are aware of the character of such mischievous falsehoods.
Speculation about the cause of inefficiencies that threatened to paralyse PSMAS are unnecessary, and a forensic audit ordered by the regulator of medical aid societies is underway. A full and objective picture will emerge from that audit. Its results will be clear to all stakeholders.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo said the government should stop meddling in PSMAS affairs adding that the largest and most experienced health service provider and medical society in Zimbabwe was formed by workers for the workers. He added:
<blockquote>
We just want the government to hands-off PSMAS, let us manage PSMAS. We have seen that a lot of our hospitals are not functioning well.  It would be naïve for us the workers’ unions to handover our organisation to the government. At least they should give us a chance to run PSMAS as workers and as the owner of this organisation.
</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Progressive_Teachers_Union_of_Zimbabwe">Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ)</a> secretary-general <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Raymond_Majongwe">Raymond Majongwe</a> echoed Dongo’s remarks adding, “We are not going to be scared.”
<h2>More: <a class="external text" href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/" rel="nofollow">Pindula News </a>is best enjoyed <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/download/?utm_source=PindulaArticles&amp;utm_campaign=DownloadLink">via the App. Download it here</a></h2>

Hundreds Of Government Workers Protest At PSC Over PSMAS Takeover

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), has exhorted the Government to stop threatening nurses whenever they ask for better remuneration and improved working conditions.
Speaking in an interview with NewsDay on Wednesday ahead of the International Nurses Day commemorations this Thursday, ZINA president Enock Dongo also urged the Government to consider the plight of healthcare workers. Dongo said:
<blockquote>
The little strides are not in any way improving the odious state of the health system or the deplorable conditions of the health workers.
We call upon the government to be sincere and dump the sickening penchant for shifting goalposts whenever engagements which revolve around remuneration are in motion.
We sincerely urge our leaders to desist from threats, insensitivity and hypocrisy.
</blockquote>
Dongo said nurses cannot celebrate International Nurses Day as they are wallowing in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. He said:
<blockquote>
We demand remuneration which is in tandem with or is way above the poverty datum line.
Morale has hit rock bottom in the health sector due to government insensitivity when it comes to the grievances of the health workers. There is nothing to celebrate honestly on this day.
As we commemorate this special day for the health workers, we are in pain due to the continuing brain drain currently occurring in the sector.
Specialist health workers continue to migrate from our nation to either regional or European nations in search of greener pastures.
Our leadership should be alive to this sickening reality and move with speed to curb the brain drain, which is now a festering nemesis.
It should be addressed before the quality of the health system is further compromised.
</blockquote>
International Nurses Day is an international day observed around the world on 12 May each year, to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/nurses-unmoved-by-govt-threats/">NewsDay</a></h4>

"Stop Threatening Nurses," ZINA Tells Govt

The Government has increased application fees for nurses’ confirmation letters and certificates by 100 per cent, from US$150 to US$300.
The new fees were revealed in a letter by Nurses Council of Zimbabwe registrar Mercy Chaka dated 11 March 2022. She wrote:
<blockquote>
The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe wishes to advise nurses that the approved fees for application for a certificate of good standing (CGS) and application for the confirmation letters for all the nurses residing in Zimbabwe and outside Zimbabwe is now US$300 and is with effect from January 1, 2022.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo told NewsDay that the new fees were unfair and meant to block nurses from leaving the country for greener pastures. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>
This is the most expensive verification.
In some of the countries, it is actually free to get a letter of good standing and now Zimbabwe charges US$300, which is not being given as salaries to the civil servants themselves.
Nurses will need three to four months without eating to raise such an amount.
That is really ridiculous, they are punishing health workers.
Health workers have left the country due to poor working conditions and salaries.
We now have a lot of practitioners who have left the country in search of greener pastures and we have shortages in our hospitals, so it’s a strategy that they have come up with to stop that.
This is totally wrong and unacceptable in a democratic country.
There is no way that you can force workers to work for you.
People have the right to work for the employer of their choice.
</blockquote>
A CGS is a confirmation letter issued by a professional body to a sister body as clearance for a health worker.
It is given to a healthcare worker with no pending disciplinary issues regarding patient care and relations with colleagues and it also confirms that the holder is a qualified nurse.
Zimbabwe has been losing qualified and experienced workers in the health sector to other countries, with 2 200 health workers having left the country in 2021.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/nurses-cry-foul-over-high-certificate-costs/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt Doubles Nurses' Certificate Fees

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo on Wednesday said nurses have rejected proposals to undergo training in patriotism and instead, want a living wage that will naturally engender a sense of patriotism.
This comes after Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a Tuesday post-Cabinet media briefing that the Government had approved a proposal to introduce the National Health Service (NHS) training and induction modules for health workers, which will include lessons in patriotism.
Dongo stated that nurses are in the dark regarding the Government’s plans as they have not been consulted. He said:
<blockquote>
We believe that anything done without the involvement of a worker is a non-starter. It will not work.
All the workers that I am talking to, including myself, are not aware, and it will not see the light of the day.
Without consultations, it is bound to fail. It’s a waste of time. Right now, we don’t even know what that is all about. I don’t think the government has to do all that.
It just needs to give health workers a living wage and by doing so, it will achieve patriotism and hard work which is beyond the call of duty.
</blockquote>
Last year, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga who doubles as Health and Child Care minister decreed that doctors must be recruited as military officers for them to work in public hospitals.
The country’s constitution does not allow members of the security forces to engage in collective bargaining or to join unions.
In May, the Government announced plans to ban doctors and nurses from going on strike for more than three days under proposed amendments to the Health Services Act.
Under the proposed changes, those accused of “inciting” doctors and nurses to strike could be jailed for up to three years.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/10/nurses-reject-patriotism-training/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Nurses Want Living Wage, Not Patriotism Training - Dongo

The mass exodus of nurses due to poor working conditions will further put pressure on the country’s already overwhelmed health delivery system amid new deadlier variants of COVID-19.
This was said by Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo, who called for an end to the intimidation of nurses by the government. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>
We are in a war due to the COVID-19 situation, and the people that are fighting that war have to be motivated, but sadly they are demotivated and intimidated by the system.
Nurses are leaving the country in numbers although we do not have ready statistics of those that have left in recent weeks.
</blockquote>
This comes as local health experts have warned that Zimbabwe faces a fourth wave of the coronavirus as the country fails to get more people inoculated.
Speaking to NewsDay on Sunday, Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe Johannes Marisa said the fourth wave will be “more serious” and was likely to hit the country around October to December.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said the fourth wave was imminent as the vaccination rates of most African countries, Zimbabwe included, remained low. Rusike said:
<blockquote>
Our biggest worry is on the unvaccinated population and the schoolchildren that are not yet being vaccinated.
A lot more schoolchildren that are not yet eligible for vaccination will be infected by the highly virulent Delta variant and this will be a pandemic for the unvaccinated with catastrophic consequences to the already broken and overwhelmed public health delivery services that are failing to manage the high number of people needing hospitalisation.
</blockquote>
Chief co-ordinator of the COVID-19 task force, Agnes Mahomva yesterday said the government is “prepared for everything”.
The third wave of the pandemic seems to be receding, with new infections falling over the past few days but the country still has a long way to go before it vaccinates the targeted 10 million people.
As of Sunday, 9 August 2021, 1 864 204 had received the first dose while 1 002 618 had received the second jab.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care statistics on COVID-19 on Sunday revealed that the country is still in the red zone after recording 437 new cases; pushing the cumulative total to 116 327.
It also recorded 74 deaths on the same day, raising the national death toll to 3 900.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/08/covid-19-fourth-wave-imminent/">NewsDay</a></h4>

"Zimbabwean Nurses Demotivated And Intimidated By The System"

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has criticised the government for making nurses apologise for the industrial action they embarked on over poor salaries and working conditions.
ZINA president, Enock Dongo issued a statement saying the government violated both Zimbabwean and intentional laws to satisfy their interests. He said:
<div>
<blockquote>As ZINA we have been left dismayed by the attitude shown by the government of Zimbabwe towards nurses. The attitude is not only in contempt of court but it is also grossly unjust, with the conduct being to coerce nurses into submission to unlawful directives.
It is an undeniable fact that the Zimbabwe Nurses Association took government to court twice in the last month. On both occasions, the High Court ruled that nurses were correct and were entitled as a matter of right to continue with the flexible working hour system. Both judgments are a matter of public record under case numbers HC6507/20 and HC7099/20. Having seen that the courts have declared them wrong, it has now become evidently clear that the government sees itself as if it is above the law. This is the only conclusion to be derived from the actions of a government that ignores two clear court orders.
This happened at Harare hospital on Monday the 7th of November 2020 and currently, nurses at United Bulawayo Hospital are being asked to write apology letters. All this is being done because government can simply ignore a court order if it wants.
State media on its part, instead of reporting the true outcome of the court cases, has been referring to nurses as “defiant” whilst calling ZINA “misleading”. All this has no factual or legal basis and amounts to misleading the nation on the true state of affairs regards the dispute between nurses and government. What they omit to state is that before taking government to court and even after both judgments came out, we have written to government to meet so that we can resolve this issue amicably but on all occassions we have not even received the courtesy of a response.</blockquote>
Dongo said the government should be the one apologising to the nurses for acting in a manner which the court said was incorrect.
He added that the employer should pay nurses their salaries as ordered by the court “rather than put its own conditions on things.”
More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2020/12/10/making-nurses-apologise-is-illegal-and-unjust-says-zina/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Health Times</a>
</div>

Nurses Association Speak On Nurses' "Forced" Apology

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has objected to the unilateral decision by the Ministry of Health and Childcare to scrap the flexible working hours system.
In a letter to Health secretary Jasper Chimedza dated October 21, ZINA president Enock Dongo accused Chimedza of acting bad good faith. He wrote:
<blockquote>The decision to implement the flexible working hour system is a product of agreement within the HSBNP [Health Service Bipartite Negotiating Panel]. It was not given unilaterally by the government nor did the employees adopt it on their own accord.
With this in mind, your decision to unilaterally remove a system which you found in place and, in any event, was reached by agreement, is irregular and certainly not in good faith.</blockquote>
Dongo added that on May 11, 2020, the Ministry had made it clear that the flexible hour system would remain in place because it reduced exposure to coronavirus. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>Tied to the above, the flexi-hour system did not only address issues to do with PPE but also addressed issues of incapacity.
When you go to the origins of adopting this system, the reason was that regular working hours were becoming expensive to maintain on the salaries nurses were getting.</blockquote>
Chimedza on October 19 directed provincial medical directors to resume normal working hours for all nurses, saying the flexi working hours were creating artificial nurse shortages.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/10/nurses-govt-clash-over-flexi-hours-ban/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Nurses Cry Foul Over Flexi-hours Ban

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has said it will not call off the strike by nurses until newly-appointed Health Minister Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has addressed their demands.
ZINA president Enock Dongo on Monday said they will continue the strike even though the government recently struck off its payroll all the nurses who are on strike.
Dongo insisted that nurses will not be intimidated by the government’s tactics but will stand on their demand for US dollar salaries and personal protective equipment (PPEs). He said:
<blockquote>We are still on strike and we are on day 52. The majority of public hospitals are literally closed and patients are being referred to private health centres.
Some patients are actually dying because they do not afford to pay the forex charges at the private hospitals, but as nurses, we cannot call off the strike at this stage.
Government has not done anything to meet our demands which are US dollar-pegged salaries or provision of adequate personal protective equipment.
Actually the skeletal staff of nurses which is attending to emergency cases at the hospitals does not have adequate PPE.</blockquote>
Chiwenga, who previously fired thousands of striking nurses, before they were allowed to re-apply for their jobs, and described junior doctors as “skilled labourers”, has not yet publicly spoken on the way forward.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/08/striking-nurses-dig-in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Nurses Vow To Continue Strike: 'No USD, PPE, No Work'

Zimbabwe’s nurses working in the public health sector have shelved a planned strike after the government gave in to most of their demands.
Health Apex Council team leader Enock Dongo, who is also the Zimbabwe Nurses Association president, on Wednesday said nurses have temporarily suspended plans to go on strike after the government restored Flexi hours. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>We have for now shelved the strike because nurses will get off-days of two weeks continuously after working for five days.
That almost translates to our formula of two days a week. So, we have shelved the strike because fewer nurses will attend work at a time and avoid crowding. This also means they will use the few personal protective equipment (PPEs) available.
To us, the government has bowed down to their earlier directive to cancel Flexi hours. We have understood that because we are in a crisis, we had to reciprocate as well.</blockquote>
Nurses had notified the government on their decision to strike in a letter to the then permanent secretary in the Health ministry Agnes Mahomva dated May 11 over the issue of Flexi hours and PPE to use in COVID-19 hospitals.
However, Dongo said the government should not think that the issue of salaries is over as nurses still want to be paid the equivalent to US$1 000 per month.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/05/nurses-shelve-strike/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt Gives In To Nurses' Demands

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has warned its members against treating patients suspected of having COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus until authorities provide them with adequate personal protective equipment (PPEs).
ZINA president Enock Dongo on Monday told the Daily News that nurses won’t go on strike but will not work until they get PPEs. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>We are still facing serious shortages of PPEs in hospitals and clinics. We are saying to nurses, don’t treat patients if you don’t have enough PPEs.
Some clinics do not even have masks. We urge the government to be serious on the issue of PPEs. Enough PPEs will motivate health workers.
We are not going on strike but we are saying if we don’t have PPEs we are not going to work.</blockquote>
Dongo added that there are nurses in rural areas who are not equipped to deal with coronavirus patients and are in the dark on how to deal with the disease.
The $1 500 per month risk allowance being given to nurses is inadequate, and should be reviewed upwards Dongo asserted.
<h4>More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/nurses-riled-over-shortage-of-ppes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

Nurses To Avoid COVID-19 Patients Until They Get PPEs

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enoch Dongo said that the country’s public hospitals can operate without doctors, hence they cannot continue holding the country at ransom.
Dongo made the remarks on Monday when he appeared before the Health and Child Care Parliamentary Portfolio committee. He said:
<blockquote>We don’t need doctors for hospitals to function. The nurses worked tirelessly to save lives while the doctors were on strike.
We don’t even need these doctors at the helm of power, nurses can be good administrators and should qualify even for positions like medical directors and permanent secretaries.
They are not here 24/7 yet they had negotiations that resulted in them striking a deal with Strive Masiiwa and now they are getting RTGS $10 000.</blockquote>
Doctors declared incapacitation (a euphemism for poor salaries, lack of hospital equipment and poor working conditions) in September last year.
The majority of the doctors returned to work last month after <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Strive_Masiyiwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strive Masiyiwa</a>‘s <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Higherlife_Foundation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Higherlife Foundation</a> availed ZWL$100 million for their remuneration.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2020/02/hospitals-can-function-without-doctors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZTN</a></h4>

'Nurses Do Not Need Doctors For Hospitals To Function'

Nurses working in the public health system want <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Strive_Masiyiwa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strive Masiyiwa’s</a> <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Higherlife_Foundation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HigherLife Foundation</a> to grant them a financial package as it has done for doctors.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo told Members of Parliament on Monday that the government should talk to Masiyiwa on their behalf so that they also get a golden handshake. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>We are imploring to the government to say a health delivery system is like a body. There is no way that you can work effectively without the other part. We complement each other.
So when the doctors were on strike, it seems as if going on strike pays more than those who were at work. Nurses were at work suffering without resources.
Those who were abandoning patients, going on strike they then come now with an offer they have been given by somebody and say all the nurses come back to work five days a week. Munhu iyeye arikutaura ane ZW$10 000 irikudziya pahomwe umwe haana chaakapihwa.</blockquote>
Under the Highlife Foundation arrangement, consultants get ZW$10 000, ZW$5 000 for junior doctors, and ZW$7 500 for the seniors, per month.
<h4>More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2020/02/03/nurses-demand-salary-package-from-higher-life-foundation/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Health Times</a></h4>

Nurses Ask Strive Masiyiwa For Salary Package

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo announced the suspension on Lucas Sharara, the Chairman of ZINA, Harare province.
The province together with Mashonaland East were the only two that passed Votes of No Confidence in Dongo. Below is a letter that was written by Dongo and addressed to members of the Association:
<blockquote>THE MEMBERS ZIMBABWE NURSES ASSOCIATION – HARARE PROVINCIAL BRANCH HARARE
Dear all,
RE: SUSPENSION OF HARARE PROVINCIAL BRANCH CHAIRPERSON – MR LUCAS SHARARA
Reference is made to the above matter.
Please be advised that the Harare Provincial Branch Chairperson, Mr Lucas Sharara, has been suspended in terms of Clause 8.7 of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association Constitution pending investigations of allegedly bringing the Association’s name into disrepute by peddling falsehoods meant to injure the Association as well as failing to obey lawful orders by not providing reports into the activities of the Harare Provincial Branch.
His suspension is for a period of not more than two months pending an outcome on the allegations which are currently being investigated.
During the period that Mr Sharara is on suspension, the Vice-Chairperson, Mrs Farirai Chitambwe, will be the acting Chairperson.
Also note that during this period, Mr Sharara does not act or speak on behalf of the Association.
Yours faithfully, 
Mr E. Dongo 
ZINA PRESIDENT</blockquote>

Nurses' Association Suspends Harare Provincial Chairperson

<blockquote>ZIMBABWE NURSES ASSOCIATION
ATT: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
07 November 2019
RE: VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN ZIMBABWE NURSES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ENOCK DONGO
The Mashonaland East Chapter of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association has with immediate effect passed a Vote of No Confidence in ZINA President Mr Enock Dongo.
The majority of ZINA members in Mashonaland East feel that the current ZINA President has failed in his mandate to represent their interests. Mr Dongo has also failed to unite Nurses as is demanded by his role and has been seen running the association as a personal business.
During Mr Dongo’s tenure, the association has failed to release First and Second Quarter consolidated financial reports as required by the Public Finance Act.
Our Provincial Chairman Mr Mudzingwa has been caught in the web and working closely with Mr Dongo to scuttle decisions made by members for action by the association, several press statements attributed to the ZINA President have not reflected the views and aspirations of Nurses in the Province.
Given the above, the general members of the association in the Province has thus passed a Vote of No Confidence in Mr Enock Dongo and would want him to be relieved of his duties in the association with immediate effect.
Thank You
ZINA MASHONALAND EAST MEMBERS
Cc: Enock Dongo 
Cc: Mash East members 
Cc: ZINA Trustees</blockquote>

Zimbabwe Nurses Association [Mash East] Passes No Confidence Vote In President

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has called off a strike which was supposed to start on Monday, June 24 (today) due to incapacitation.
Following a meeting on Friday between the ZINA officials, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, three cabinet ministers namely, Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo, Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube and the acting Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Monica Mutsvangwa, the strike has been called off.
ZINA released a statement after the meeting in which it said:
<blockquote>Of the grievances discussed, the one which was dealt with at great length was the issue relating to remuneration wherein the executives reiterated that due to incapacity the nurses would not be attending work from June 24, 2019, unless salaries were increased.
The President and all those in attendance understood the position of the nurses and gave an undertaking that salaries are going to be reviewed.</blockquote>
The association revealed that members’ salaries were going to raised from July 1, 2019. ZINA president, Enock Dongo, had this to say:
<blockquote>We feel that after consulting it will not be prudent to down tools given that we met a high powered delegation led by the President himself.
Downing tools after the Government has promised to review our salaries will be viewed as negotiating in bad faith.
Nurses at public health institutions across the country as well as the rest of the civil services have been hard hit by the erosion of their salaries as the value of the local currency continues to fall.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/nurses-call-off-strike/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

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