Masvingo Provincial Hospital (MPH) student nurses’ hostels have been declared uninhabitable following frequent sewer pipe bursts leading to the closure of the dormitories for major plumbing repairs, according to The Midweek Watch.
MPH public relations officer Sister Chioniso Gono told the publication that they asked the students to look for alternative accommodation outside the training school hostels till they are done with renovating the ageing plumbing system. Gono said:
I can confirm that we asked the students to look for alternative accommodation outside the nurse training school in April this year until the contractors are done renovating our plumbing system which was now affecting the whole institution.
A student nurse who refused to be named told the Midweek Watch that it is now close to five months living outside of the school’s residence which is making their lives difficult, especially with school work and lecture attendance.
The student also said if they don’t board the Public Service Commission buses, they sometimes report for duty or lessons very late as they have to walk from where ever they stay or for another 2km if they are dropped off in town.
Sister Gono said she cannot tell when they will be done renovating the biggest referral health centre in the Province.
Government contractors have already started their job and all the materials that are needed for the renovations are on site.
About120 student nurses, especially, those without relatives in Masvingo Town were affected by the development as they have to pay rentals with the “little” monthly allowances that they get from Government during the training period.