MDC-T condemns government action on striking nurses

The MDC condemns in the strongest terms the alleged firing of the nurses on industrial action, and

1. Calls on the government to re-engage the nurses on industrial action in useful dialogue with a view to minimizing the disruption of the health delivery services. These nurses are human beings with relatives and friends requiring urgent health care right now, and all they want is a decent living wage and fair conditions of service. Heavy handedness on the part of government has never solved labour issues in the past.

2. Calls on the government to re-arrange its priorities and the health of the nation precedence in resource allocation. There is no good reason why the government is failing to allocate 15% of total government expenditure to health, as already agreed at continental level.

3. Calls on the Health Services Board to fulfil the mandate for which it was formed. HSB should not feature only when there is labour unrest. They should engage the workforce at all levels continuously, and improve their conditions of service regularly in small manageable aliquots.

4. Calls on the MoHCC to complete and commission the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan, work on which was initiated in 2010 with wide stakeholder consultations at considerable cost. The people of Zimbabwe spoke, and the government has an obligation to see to it that UHC becomes a reality in Zimbabwe. This plan will ensure that enough additional resources become available for the proper remuneration of health workers, that healthcare facilities are properly equipped and medicines are available, and that all Zimbabweans regardless of age & sex will have access to a defined package of quality care free at point of access.

Dr. Henry Madzorera

Shadow Minister of Health and Child Welfare – Movement for Democratic Change

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