Doctors, nurses and other health workers employed by the government have been threatened with dismissals if they go on strike for more than three days.
The Health Services Commission (HSC), which replaced the Health Services Board (HSB), issued the threat in a leaked memo.
According to the memo, strikes must not take more than 72 hours if they ever happen. Part of the memo reads:
<blockquote>
Health Services Board has been replaced by the Health Services Commission. Health services are classified as critical services and no one should be denied access to emergency services or ICU services, even during a strike.
Striking by health workers is almost impossible. If a strike happens, it must not last more than 72 hours.
All those intending to strike must give the HSC a 48-hour written notice.
HSC has the power to deregister any member from professional body registers after disciplinary procedures.
</blockquote>
Thousands of Zimbabwean health workers have left the country for greener pastures over the past few years.
In the past, the government has fired health workers for taking part in industrial action demanding living wages.
In August 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care fired Robert Emmanuel Chiduku, the leader of the Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU).
Chiduku was found guilty on charges of conducting Union business during business hours on work premises without the employer’s consent. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/public-health-workers-given-stern-warning-over-strikes/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Pindula News

Govt Health Workers Warned Over Strikes

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has welcomed the decision by the government to extend its waiver on the re-appointment of health workers who had left the service to March 31, 2023, from September 30 this year.
ZINA president Enock Dongo told <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/desperate-government-extends-reappointment-period-for-fired-retired-nurses-as-health-workers-flight-to-greener-pastures-persists/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> that the extension was the government’s admission that things were not well in the health sector. He said:
<blockquote>
This is a clear admission on the part of government that things are not well in the health sector.
A lot of health workers have left for greener pastures and the private sector, leaving gaps that have not been filled.
Government’s call is very serious and we support the return of those who are eligible so as to give service to the public, the most affected by current shortages.
These professionals have not just left services for no apparent reason; they left because of poor working conditions, poor remuneration, intimidation by the state and a general lack of dialogue between the employer and employee.
These have to be addressed, otherwise these re-appointments will be premature. If government fails to do so then they will either look at their colleagues who are still employed and opt not to join or join and leave again.
</blockquote>
According to a letter signed by Health Services Board acting executive director, Angelbert Mbengwa, the government extended the waiver by six months. It reads:
<blockquote>
It is noted that the Board extended the waiver of reappointment for former health workers who need to rejoin the service to Central Hospitals and Provincial Medical Directors for a period of six months from 01 April 2022 to 30 September 2022.
Please be advised that the waiver has been extended for a further period of six months from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023 to facilitate urgent appointments to fill vacant posts in institutions.
However, the reappointment of the following categories shall be centralized at the Board; all former nurses applying to rejoin the service, members who were discharged from the service on grounds of misconduct, convicted of a criminal offence, or terminated through medical grounds.
In view of the above, Central Hospitals and Provincial Medical Directors shall continue approving applications for reappointment of the other grades as communicated before. Institutions should thus submit the applications for the above two categories to the Board.
The General Manager of the Salary Service Bureau is therefore being instructed to accept reappointments authorised at stations in line with the above framework.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s public sector is experiencing an exodus of health workers fleeing poor working conditions and poor remuneration to better-paying countries in Europe, Namibia, and America, among others.

Union Welcomes Govt Re-hiring Of Fired And Retired Nurses

The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) through the Health Services Board (HSB) has extended the waiver to reappoint former health workers who desire to rejoin the service.
The recruitment of the former health workers and the extension of the waiver are meant to fill the gaps that have arisen as a result of the exodus of skilled personnel.
Through a circular, HSB Executive Director, Angelbert Mbengwa said the waiver has been extended from the original September Deadline to March 31, 2023. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
Please be advised that the waiver has been extended for a further period of six months from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 to facilitate urgent appointments to fill vacant posts in institutions.
</blockquote>
However, the appointment of all nurses applying to rejoin the service and members who were discharged from service on grounds of misconduct, convicted of criminal offences, or terminated through medical grounds shall be centralized at the board. Said Mbengwa:
<blockquote>
In view of the above, Central Hospitals and Provincial Hospitals shall continue approving applications of for reappointment of other grades as communicated in the before except the categories stated above.
Institutions should thus submit the applications of the above two categories to the board.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/11/09/zimbabwe-invites-retired-and-former-nurses-and-health-workers-back-into-service/">Health Times</a>

Govt Invites Retired And Former Nurses And Health Workers Back Into Service

The Health Services Board (HSB) has fired chief executives of five major Government hospitals in a move it has described as a “restructuring exercise” within the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The development was confirmed by HSB chairperson Paulinus Sikhosana on Sunday evening. He also revealed that the five hospital bosses had since been replaced by their hospitals’ clinical directors in an acting capacity. Sikhosana said:
<blockquote>Yes, I can confirm the latest development and changes within the ministry. It is part of a restructuring within the ministry.
Like in any organisation, the restructuring is being carried out to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, accountability as well as effective use of resources within the ministry. We want to keep the integrity of the organisation.</blockquote>
Sikhosana, however, declined to name the directors and senior members of staff within the Health Ministry who had been moved from their posts or of the people who replaced the CEOs.
The Herald understands that those who were moved out are Ernest Manyawu of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Dr Tinashe Dhobbie of Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Dr Enock Mayida of Chitungwiza Central Hospital, Nonhlanhla Ndlovu of United Bulawayo Hospitals and Leonard Mabhandi of Ingutsheni Hospital, a major psychiatric hospital near Bulawayo.
The HSB boss added that the restructuring exercise will be carried out at all government-controlled hospitals.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/hospital-chief-executives-sacked/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Five Hospital Chief Executive Officers Axed

The Health Services Board (HSB) has hired the 19 junior doctors who recently completed their studies, but failed to get an internship.
This was disclosed by Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo in an interview with The Herald on Monday.
The doctors will be absorbed into the public health delivery system with immediate effect after the Ministry of Finance gave the nod. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>We now have concurrency from Treasury to employ the doctors and they will be deployed to respective institutions as a matter of urgency.
Posts were still occupied by other doctors whose internship period had been extended due to disruptions in rotations by an industrial action, which crippled the health sector in December last year and the first quarter of this year.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/govt-hires-19-doctors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Govt Recruits 19 Junior Doctors

Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Sekai Nzenza said that the government will soon start negotiations with doctors following the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA)’s letter to the Health Services Board (HSB) demanding a salary increment.
The doctors cited incapacitation and gave the government a three-week notice to embark on a strike if their grievances are not addressed.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Nzenza revealed that her Ministry will soon meet the doctors through the National Joint Negotiations Council (NJNC). She said:
<blockquote>Negotiations will start soon. I need to confirm the date, but it’s soon. They are going to be done through the NJNC (National Joint Negotiations Council), together with the Health Services Board.
A strike will be the last resort. We will negotiate with doctors and I am confident we will come up with a resolution.
The Tripartite Negotiating Forum brings unions, Government and business together to discuss economic issues affecting the workers.</blockquote>
In a letter addressed to the Health Services Board chairperson, Dr Paulinus Sikhosana, ZHDA said that they will not continue subsiding the government anymore. They demanded that the government adjust their earnings according to the inter-market bank rate.
ZHDA acting president Dr Peter Magombeyi told The Sunday Mail on Saturday that the government has not yet formally responded to the union’s statement.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/doctors-grievances-on-government-agenda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Govt Hopeful Of Striking Deal With Doctors - Minister Nzenza

Health workers at public health institutions have embarked on an industrial action starting on the 17th of June (today) to the 23rd of June this month.
The Health Services Board Apex Council and the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZNA) have taken the drastic move after the government failed to respond to their ultimatum issued 14 days ago.
Health workers apex council team leader Panganai Chivese told 263Chat revealed that if the government failed to address their grievances by the 24th of June, they will stay at home. He said:
<blockquote>The government has failed to address the most important grievances relating to the remuneration of health workers vis-a-vis the current economic climate have not been addressed.
If the government fails to address our grievances by the 24th we will be forced to stay home because we can no longer afford to go to work.</blockquote>
The Health Services Board Apex Council last week wrote a letter to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, saying that health workers will completely withdraw their services from June 24 if their demands are not met.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.263chat.com/health-workers-embark-on-industrial-action/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">263Chat</a></h4>

Health Workers Down Tools After Govt Snub

ZBC News reports that the Health Services Board (HSB) has appointed Chief Executive Officers for Chitungwiza and Harare Central hospitals.
The current Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo, was the CEO at Chitungwiza Central Hospital. Dr Enock Mayida has been appointed the CEO to replace Minister Moyo.
At Harare Central Hospital, Dr Tinashe Dhobbie comes in to replace Dr Nyasha Masuka who recently offered to resign to pursue personal interests.
Related:
<ul>
<li class="entry-title"><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/04/24/president-mnangagwa-appoints-dr-agnes-mahomva-mohcc-perm-sec/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">President Mnangagwa Appoints Dr Agnes Mahomva MoHCC Perm Sec</a></li>
</ul>

HSB Appoints CEOs For Harare & Chitungwiza Central Hospitals

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) has written to the Health Services Board, expressing anxiety over the government’s failure to fulfil its promises.
The ZHDA agreed with the government in January on issues to improve the doctors’ working conditions, through the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), but to date, very few things have been fulfilled.
The letter, which is in the hands of the Daily News and written by ZHDA secretary-general Mthabisi Bhebhe reads in part:
<blockquote>Most of the matters in the CBA have not been fully implemented as agreed upon. This has created an impression that the ministry has entirely abandoned its workers and is failing in its duty to honour legally binding agreements.
… Hospitals remain in a dire state with no basic medical supplies. Most basic and lifesaving medicines remain unavailable and there has not been any form of communication on what the ministry is doing to address this challenge.
It has been observed with grave concern, cases of fatally ill patients being deprived of lifesaving services because the diagnostic and theatre equipment is not fully functional.
… Informed and guided by the CBA, which is a legally enforceable document, we request the ministry to respond to why it has willingly opted to delay and violate this particular area of the agreement.
We were given assurance that the ministry had intervened to improve transport to work by procuring fuel for doctors who are working in government hospitals. In good faith, we believed it was the case.
However, facts on the ground are that there has not been any intervention or improvement in this regard. Fuel is now expensive, in short supply and doctors continue sleeping in fuel queues.</blockquote>
Doctors embarked on a 40-day-long industrual action in in December which paralyzed the health delivery system.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/03/04/doctors-govt-showdown-looms">Daily News</a></h4>

Doctors Remind Govt Of Unfulfilled Promises As Another Showdown Looms

The government through the Health Services Board (HSB) said that it has unfrozen 1 762 posts in the health sector. This was revealed by the HSB executive chairperson Paulinus Sikhosana. Sikhosana had this to say:
<blockquote>There are 1 762 posts and this is for all health workers across the board. They cover government institutions, rural district councils, obviously HSB, all health workers — doctors, nurses, lab scientists, environmental health officers — all those posts that had been frozen.
Treasury has agreed to release about $12 499 040 million. The unfreezing did not happen yesterday, it has been a continual process.
So in the discussions with Treasury, we had requested for the unfreezing of posts for up to $10 million but with our consultations with the Health and Child Care ministry, we estimated it to be around $12.5 million.
The Finance and Development ministry agreed they will provide those resources and we have had a number of meetings with Treasury, and the ministry has prioritised these and these are the positions that have been prioritised (pointing at the posts printed on several papers).</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/02/06/gvt-unfreezes-1762-health-sector-posts">Daily news</a></h4>

Govnt Opens Up 1 762 Posts In The Health Sector

Doctors at Public Health institutions who took part in a 40-day strike from December 2018 to January 2019 will not be paid for the days they did not report for duty. This was revealed by the Health Services Board:
<blockquote>Although we asked SSB to full pay for their salaries this month, I think it is only fair that people get paid for the work they do, no work no pay.
We, however, negotiated and said they could borrow money about $500 to $1 000, from a health fund which they will return progressively.
We also told the doctors that they could also take their off days and turn them to monetary terms in order for them to get paid because no business pays employees that were not at work.
The doctors also expressed frustration in that the government has so far failed to fulfil the promises it made to the doctors.</blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) secretary-general, Mthabisi Anele Bhebhe, told the Daily News that the government promised to provide fuel to doctors yet this has not been addressed. In fact, the government hiked the price of fuel by more 150 per cent.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2019/02/01/no-pay-for-striking-doctors">Daily News</a></h4>

HSB Latest News

Latest Jobs