Government has convened an extraordinary meeting between the Health Apex Panel and the Health Services Commission in an effort to resolve the ongoing industrial action by nurses, amid rising concern over service disruptions at public health institutions.
Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora yesterday said the high-level engagement aims to urgently address grievances raised by nurses’ representatives and restore normal operations across affected facilities.
“Government recognises the importance of these concerns and reaffirms its commitment to continued engagement through the appropriate channels. In this regard, an extraordinary technical meeting has been convened between the Health Apex Panel and the Health Service Commission,” he said.
The strike has disrupted services nationwide, with nurses citing poor salaries, difficult working conditions, inadequate staffing and shortages of essential medical supplies. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association has been vocal about longstanding concerns affecting healthcare delivery.
Dr Mombeshora said the convened talks would offer a structured platform to address these issues while ensuring that critical services remain available to the public.
“Processes are underway to review the concerns in a structured and responsible manner, guided by the need to balance the delivery of critical health services with the welfare of health workers.
“The Ministry appeals to those health workers who have withdrawn their services to suspend the industrial action and allow space for constructive dialogue, in the best interests of patients and the nation at large,” he said.
He added that Government remains committed to resolving the matter, noting that the Second Republic prioritises both citizens’ wellbeing and the welfare of frontline workers.
In recent years, Government has introduced several non-monetary incentives to retain healthcare personnel, including duty-free vehicle importation, housing schemes and residential stands.
This month, authorities began implementing a revised remuneration structure for civil servants, with workers expected to start receiving the adjusted salaries last week. The salary review forms part of broader measures aimed at improving public sector welfare, alongside ongoing economic stabilisation efforts, including strengthening the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.
