STATE security agents yesterday descended on several government hospitals, including referral, provincial and district institutions, as striking nurses defied a directive to return to work while negotiations continue.
The deployment of suspected intelligence officers came amid reports of alleged intimidation of health workers who stayed away following a job action called by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina) on Monday this week.
Zina called for a three-day nationwide demonstration, citing poor salaries and deteriorating working conditions. The job action is expected to end today.
Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora on Monday night urged the workers to return to work to allow space for dialogue. He said processes were underway to review their grievances in a structured and responsible manner, balancing critical health service delivery with the welfare of workers.
However, nurses — who have repeatedly raised concerns over deteriorating conditions in hospitals — defied the directive and stayed away from work.
Among their grievances, Zina cited a chronic staff shortage that has worsened service delivery, with the nurse-to-patient ratio reaching as high as 1:20 or even 1:30 in some wards, far above the recommended ratio of about 1:3.
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Nurses are also demanding urgent recruitment of staff and the reintroduction of locum arrangements to allow nurses on leave or off-duty to work additional shifts for fair compensation.
Health workers have also raised concern over alleged violation of their rights, including rental charges for government accommodation. Nurses reportedly pay up to US$120 per month for basic rooms, deducted from the US dollar component of their salaries.
They have further called for alignment with international labour standards on shift work, citing long and irregular hours that result in fatigue and increase occupational exposure to infections.
The grievances have led nearly 4 000 nurses to seek the release of their service bonds to pursue employment opportunities outside Zimbabwe.
A survey by NewsDay at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital showed that many nurses were absent from duty, with most stations being manned by probationary staff and student nurses.
A nurse who requested anonymity said dialogue with authorities yielded little progress.
“We have always said every year that we want our salaries pegged to the United States dollar because the local currency quickly loses value. With the current price increases, we can no longer afford even basic transport,” he said.
In reports to Zina yesterday, health workers alleged intimidation at some hospitals across the country.
“The majority of nurses heeded the call and participated in the job action, reflecting the seriousness of the issues and the collective resolve to demand fair working conditions,” part of Zina’s situation report read.
The union said central hospitals recorded strong participation, with most institutions showing significant compliance with the strike.
However, Zina noted that nurses at Gweru and Chinhoyi provincial hospitals did not participate, allegedly due to intimidation.
“The association strongly condemns any form of intimidation or coercion that undermines workers’ constitutional and legal right to participate in lawful industrial action,” the report said.
Strong participation was also recorded at several provincial hospitals, including Victoria Chitepo and Marondera, while partial participation was reported in some areas.
At district level, Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central and Midlands reportedly recorded strong mobilisation and unity.
In Mashonaland Central, health workers in Mt Darwin and Bindura reportedly stayed away from work, while in Guruve some staff reported for duty. Officials from the President’s Office reportedly visited and interrogated senior officials at district hospitals in the province.
Zina confirmed that the Health Service Commission invited its leadership for a technical meeting.
In an interview, Zina president Enock Dongo said the association remained unfazed by intimidation.
“We are not worried about intimidation. What we are doing is lawful and no amount of intimidation will stop us,” he said.
Dongo said participation in the industrial action had increased compared to Monday’s turnout, adding that authorities had resorted to deploying student nurses.
“We said we don’t want people to die, so student nurses are covering critical areas,” he said.