Government has proceeded with plans to replace the dismissed nurses with major hospitals now fully operational, 263Chat can reveal.
A visit to Parirenyatwa Hospital by 263Chat today to assess the situation revealed it was business as usual with nurses and doctors busy attending to patients.
Military personnel have also moved in and could be seen milling around Parirenyatwa hospital setting a tense atmosphere for both patients and hospital staff.
Speaking to 263Chat, patients waiting to be served at the Out Patients department testified that it was business as usual though there were some delays as compared to other days.
“People are being served today, l came here at 7 in the morning but they delayed me up to now its almost 11 and they told me to wait for the doctor and its taking too long for him to arrive here since morning,they tried to call him since morning and he said he is on his way up to now,” said Tariro Chihota.
“Its business as usual here at Parinyenyatwa hospital we see no difference,people are being served though there are some delays,we are being told to wait for doctors who haven’t arrived but others are coming as we can see but l can’t compare the situation with yesterday,today its better than yesterday otherwise all is well,” Jephat Maorera.
263Chat also saw a shortlist of about 80 applicants who had offered jobs at Parirenyatwa hospital to replace those who were fired.
In an interview with some of the shortlisted applicants, they said the dismissal of striking nurses was a blessing in disguise for them as they had been brought on board.
“l am very happy that l got a job here and my life has changed,l applied long ago and l was waiting for a response surprisingly when l came to check today l found my name at the list l say thanks to the Vice President,” said one of the applicants who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“Thanks to the nurses who went on strike, they paved a way for us, we are ready to work under any circumstances,” said another applicant.
In a telephone interview, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) President, Simangaliso Mafa said he was not aware of the recruitment of new nurses.
“l cant confirm that because l didn’t visit the place today, what we only know is that nurses are still on strike and l am surprised to hear that some attended so l need to confirm,” said Mafa.
In a press statement they released recently, ZINA said they are going to take legal action if the Health Services Board fails to act on Chiwenga’s mass dismissal order end of day today.
On Tuesday, more than 16 000 nurses were dismissed for engaging in an industrial action with government saying their actions were more political as they had turned down a $17 million offer from the treasury.
