Cash-strapped government has been urged to review nurses salaries as they a key pillar in the health service delivery system, a cabinet minister has said.
Speaking at the official opening of Bende Community village health post, which will see more 4000 villagers getting easy access to health facilities in rural Nyanga, Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira, said despite the poor performance of the economy, government needs to review the salaries for nurses as they are key players in the health sector.
“We understand it is difficult for the government at the moment and all sectors are not performing well hence salaries are low, but there is need to have a bias towards nurses who are responsible for everyone’ health care.
“They are a very key component of our country and we need to keep them motivated by constantly reviewing their salaries. The money they receive is not reflective of the work they do. they are underappreciated but it all comes down to the economy. we hope with time, more can be done to make sure their salaries are increased,” said the Nyanga South Member of Parliament.
Mandiwanzira’s call was reinforced by Minister of Heath and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, who bemoaned the situation befalling rural nurses who do not have incentives to keep them going and execute their duties.
“When we look at our rural nurses, the situation is dire because they hardly get enough recognition and they often do not get incentives like the urban nurses. Its a situation we are always looking into because without them (nurses) we are under a great risk,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
He called on the rural communities to support nurses through incentives.
Dr Parirenyatwa said government fully appreciates community health workers who are the foot soldiers for an effective health delivery system.
The community health post, a first of its kind in Zimbabwe will compliment the already existing health institutions which include six central hospital, 8 provincial hospitals and 62 district hospitals.
Government is targeting have more than 6600 such satellite health posts
