Nurses down tools at UBH

Nurses in Bulawayo have downed tools joining doctors in an industrial strike that has paralyzed Zimbabwe's health system.

Nurses at United Bulawayo Hospitals joined doctors' strike on Friday afternoon leaving only student nurses attending to patients in the wards.

According to a source at UBH, nurses decided to join the strike after government showed disaffection to the demands of the doctors.

"Our working conditions are deplorable. Doctors have been on strike for more than two weeks and government is not doing anything to address the situation. It simply shows they are not taking doctors seriously because they know we are at work and will cover up.

"By joining the strike, government will see the gravity and seriousness of the industrial action," a nurse at the hospital said.

Zimbabwean doctors downed tools a fortnight ago complaining of unfavourable working conditions and neglect by government.

Doctors also accused Health and Child Care minister Dr David Parirenyatwa of not being cooperative.
On Tuesday doctors at UBH staged a demonstration demanding better working conditions.

They waved placards with messages like "we cannot fly to Singapore" and "a hungry doctor is a dangerous doctor".

"I offer services I cannot afford" and "government is not serious about health," read some of the inscriptions on placards during a demonstration.

UBH chief executive officer, Nonhlanhla Ndlovu could neither confirm nor deny. She said the strike is now a national issue and comment should be sought from the health services board or the ministry.

"Concerning the strike, I think it is best for you to get in touch with the Health Services Board or the minister. This is now a national issue and I am not in a position to comment," she said.

Parirenyatwa's number was not reachable.