Gweru Hospital management has snubbed a government directive banning nurses from wearing their traditional white uniforms that have been classified as public health hazards.
The government said that white uniforms spread infectious diseases to members of the public when nurses step out of hospital premises and mix and mingle with people in public places.
The new uniforms, known as “scrubs”, are supposed to be worn within hospital premises only, then left there.
Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) said in a memo addressed to the matron:
While acknowledging your position on scrubs, we felt that such a position was without basis or merit and widely lacks specifications.
The white uniform has been declared as a public health hazard as most nurses come to work and go back home passing through public space, posing serious health implications.
The Daily News contacted Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo for comment and he referred questions to the chief nursing officer who was not available to give a comment.