Nurse registration set for decentralisation across provinces

Thousands of nurses across Zimbabwe could soon benefit from easier access to professional registration services under Government plans to decentralise key regulatory processes currently concentrated in Harare.

The proposed reforms are expected to reduce the financial and logistical burden on healthcare workers who must travel long distances to the capital to register, renew practising certificates and access other services provided by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe.

Speaking on the sidelines of International Day of the Midwife commemorations at United Bulawayo Hospitals, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini said the initiative aligns with Government's devolution agenda and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's policy of ensuring that no community is left behind in accessing public services.

"We have seen nurses and other practitioners travelling all the way to Harare to do their registrations and other activities," said Kwidini.

"Especially when it comes to nurses, when they post-qualify, they need to register and have to go to Harare. But this is not in line with the President's mantra that no place and no one should be left behind."

He noted that the current centralised system places a significant burden on healthcare professionals from provinces located far from the capital.

"Can you imagine someone travelling from Beitbridge, Victoria Falls or Binga just to register? This is the time to devolve services," he said.

According to the Deputy Minister, authorities are considering establishing registration offices in the southern region and other parts of the country to bring services closer to healthcare workers.

"They should come down to the southern region and set up offices so that all the services being given in Harare are also found in the southern region," he said.

"Everyone is equal and should be able to access services. Our nurses and professionals will be happy with that."

Under current regulations, newly qualified nurses must register with the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe before they can begin practising professionally.

The registration process includes verification of qualifications, issuance of practising certificates and updates to professional records, functions that remain largely centralised in Harare.

As a result, nurses from provinces such as Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands and other remote areas often incur substantial transport and accommodation costs to fulfil mandatory professional requirements.

Healthcare stakeholders have long advocated for decentralised regulatory services, arguing that the existing system creates unnecessary barriers for healthcare workers and can delay their entry into the workforce.

Government believes the proposed reforms will reduce travel costs, shorten processing times and improve access to essential professional services.

Officials also expect the initiative to accelerate the deployment of newly qualified nurses to health institutions by minimising delays associated with registration and certification procedures.

The move forms part of broader devolution and decentralisation reforms being implemented across Government to improve service delivery and reduce disparities in access to public services between urban and rural communities.

Within the healthcare sector, decentralisation has become a key component of efforts to strengthen the health workforce, improve working conditions and enhance operational efficiency.

Nurses remain the backbone of Zimbabwe's healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved communities where they often provide the first point of contact for patients seeking medical attention.

In recent years, Government has pursued various measures to strengthen the health workforce, including expanding training opportunities, recruiting additional healthcare personnel and improving conditions of service.

Authorities say decentralising nurse registration services will complement these efforts by removing administrative obstacles that can delay the deployment of newly qualified nurses and hinder the professional advancement of those already in practice.