Zimbabwe govt blocks 4,000 nurses from leaving

The Zimbabwean government has reportedly withheld verification letters for more than 4,000 nurses, effectively blocking their chances of securing employment abroad in a controversial attempt to stem the mass exodus of healthcare professionals.

These verification letters, which cost US$300 each, are a mandatory requirement for nurses seeking to register and work in foreign countries. Despite having paid the fee, many nurses have been left in limbo - unable to proceed with overseas job opportunities due to delays or refusals by authorities to release the documents.

A senior official from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare confirmed that over 6,789 Zimbabwean nurses are currently working in the United Kingdom, while Ireland has absorbed at least 1,000 others - a trend the government is now attempting to slow.

The local health system is under significant strain, with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:20 or even 1:30 in some public health institutions, far exceeding the World Health Organisation's recommended standards.

Speaking to NewsDay, Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo condemned the move, accusing the government of violating nurses' rights and sabotaging their professional advancement.

"We are gravely concerned about the violation of nurses' rights," Dongo said. "It has come to our attention that nurses who have completed their mandatory bonding are being denied their diplomas and verification letters - documents necessary for them to seek employment, locally or internationally."

"This is a blatant infringement of their right to choose their employer and we demand the immediate release of these documents to all eligible nurses. Over 4,000 nurses are currently affected by this injustice," he added.

The exodus of Zimbabwean nurses in recent years has been driven by a combination of low wages, poor working conditions, and chronic understaffing. Many healthcare workers say the opportunity to work overseas offers a chance to earn better pay and support their families, often sending back remittances that support the domestic economy.

The government's decision to restrict the issuance of verification letters is likely to escalate tensions between authorities and health sector workers, who have already staged periodic strikes over pay and working conditions.

Health rights advocates have urged the government to address the root causes of the brain drain, rather than limiting professional mobility. Others warn that such restrictions could push frustrated health workers into leaving the profession altogether, further crippling Zimbabwe's already fragile healthcare system.