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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30209, member: 2262"] Each year, over 100,000 people apply to become nurses in Zimbabwe. The country offers only 1,200 spots yearly. Reports claim some applicants pay $1,000 bribes for consideration. Sally Mugabe and Parirenyatwa hospitals receive 5,000 and 8,000 applications but can enroll just 80 students combined per intake. These major facilities accept new students twice annually. Smaller institutions like Mpilo Central Hospital, United Bulawayo Hospitals, and Ingutsheni Hospital accept about 40 students yearly. High demand forced the government to address corruption in the recruitment process. Officials decentralized selections and created stricter measures for transparency. The Health Ministry currently fills 600 nursing positions nationwide. Most schools accept 15 to 20 students per class. The largest institutions, Sally Mugabe and Parirenyatwa, take 35 and 45 students, respectively. Health Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora confirmed previous corruption linked to overwhelming applicant numbers. Bribery became common for securing positions. The ministry decentralized the formerly central process. Application numbers overwhelmed the system, prompting us to return control to provinces, Mombeshora explained. Each school conducts interviews locally, reducing outside manipulation. The massive application numbers at major hospitals highlight the extreme demand. Mombeshora requires schools to accept specific percentages of local district candidates. This promotes geographic fairness in selections. He admits past challenges but affirms their dedication to fixing improper practices. Curbing corruption remains difficult without adequate reporting. My office received minimal reports since my appointment, he stated. The ministry needs public assistance in identifying misconduct. The government aims to maintain access for deserving students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many aspiring nurses cannot afford a university education. Nursing programs pay students salaries during training, and students earn money immediately upon registration, Mombeshora explained. Financial barriers prevent talented candidates from advancing. Decentralization creates fairer systems for young people entering healthcare careers. [/QUOTE]

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