State agents deployed to hospitals as nurses strike continues in Zimbabwe
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
State security agents were deployed to several government hospitals in Zimbabwe, including referral, provincial, and district institutions, as striking nurses defied a directive to return to work. The deployment of suspected intelligence officers occurred amid reports of alleged intimidation of health workers participating in a three-day nationwide demonstration called by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association Zina. Zina initiated the job action on Monday, April 20, 2026, citing poor salaries and deteriorating working conditions, with the strike expected to conclude today, April 22, 2026. Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora had urged nurses to return to work, promising dialogue and a review of grievances. However, nurses, who have consistently raised concerns about hospital conditions, defied the directive. Their grievances include a chronic staff shortage, leading to a nurse-to-patient ratio as high as 1:20 or 1:30 in some wards, far exceeding the recommended 1:3. They are also demanding urgent staff recruitment, reintroduction of locum arrangements, and addressing alleged violations of their rights, such as high rental charges for government accommodation. Many nurses are reportedly seeking to leave Zimbabwe, with nearly 4,000 having requested the release of their service bonds. A NewsDay survey at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital revealed widespread absence of nurses, with probationary staff and student nurses manning most stations.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
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