Nurses in Zimbabwe struggle to live on their small pay. Their monthly wages have fallen from $840 to under $400 since 2018, when the country started using a new money system. Many cannot afford food, clothes, school fees for their children, or transport to work. Some walk long distances to reach hospitals or live with their families in single rooms because the rent costs more than they earn. The government takes up to $120 from their dollar pay for basic housing.
Hospital buildings have fallen apart from a lack of money. Nurses often lack basic supplies, drugs, and equipment needed for patient care. One nurse must care for up to 30 patients at once in some areas. Thousands of nurses move to other countries, mainly the UK, looking for better jobs. The government keeps school papers from 4000 newly trained nurses to stop them from leaving the country.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association asks for wages to rise back to $840 per month. They say current pay stays far below what people need to live decently. Nurses face blame from the public for slow service, but cannot work well without proper tools. A government minister recently asked the president to visit hospitals himself to see how bad things have become. Zimbabwe once had great healthcare before money cuts damaged the system.
Hospital buildings have fallen apart from a lack of money. Nurses often lack basic supplies, drugs, and equipment needed for patient care. One nurse must care for up to 30 patients at once in some areas. Thousands of nurses move to other countries, mainly the UK, looking for better jobs. The government keeps school papers from 4000 newly trained nurses to stop them from leaving the country.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association asks for wages to rise back to $840 per month. They say current pay stays far below what people need to live decently. Nurses face blame from the public for slow service, but cannot work well without proper tools. A government minister recently asked the president to visit hospitals himself to see how bad things have become. Zimbabwe once had great healthcare before money cuts damaged the system.
