Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI) has closed down two of its flagship hospitals, Claybank (Gweru) and West End (Harare) after nurses went on strike over unpaid salaries.
In a statement, the PSMI Board said:
The board acknowledges the fact that employees have gone for 3 months without salaries and how the unfortunate circumstances continue to affect the employees’ wellbeing and their capacity to report for work and effectively discharge their duties.
The challenges at PSMI have been in the public domain for the better part of the year and they mainly emanate from cash flow ceilings currently affecting the major client PSMAS…
As part of resolving current operational challenges at PSMI, the Board and management express sincere gratitude to the Government of Zimbabwe for its recent intervention to capacitate PSMI with stocks.
PSMI pharmacies, renal clinics, optometry practices and clinical laboratories have since received part of the imported stocks to address the perennial stock out challenges that were affecting service delivery.
Through Government efforts, PSMI is also currently working with NATPHARM in ensuring consistent availability of affordable medicines to the convenience of the PSMAS members and the nation at large.
PSMI Board and Management further express its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all PSMI employees and their families for being steadfast and resilient during these difficult challenges, which are soon to pass.
Over 200 nurses, doctors, and health support staff at Claybank Private hospital in Gweru have been on strike since June demanding improved working conditions.
The health workers were demanding better salaries, USD allowances and Protective Personal Equipment (PPE).
They told the media in June that patients were being turned away because of a shortage of protective clothes, and basic medicine, and low morale among staff members. The hospital had also suspended operation procedures as the theatre has no basic equipment needed, and technicians to operate the X-ray machines.
Meanwhile, critics attribute the development to corruption. Award-winning journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono says public funds meant for the health sector were looted by political elites.