The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
LOCAL nurse aides – trained health care professionals who assist registered nurses and doctors in fundamental patient care and basic medical duties – are not properly represented, a key stakeholder in the health services sector has said.
Dr Godfrey Chikura, a medical practitioner, said until recently, nurse aides did not have a council that was representing their interests.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for nurse aides that were trained at Spar Farm in Mazowe Rural District Council, Ward 21, Mashonaland Central province recently, Dr Chikura said nurse aides have their own grievances, which need to be addressed.
“Nurse aides have their own issues that need to be addressed, such as low salaries and poor working conditions.
“Without representation, their grievances will not be addressed,” Dr Chikura said.
Without a council representing their interests, the nurse aides are currently under the umbrella of the Nurse Aides Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZT), a shadow association.
Led by its president Mr Yotamu Mlauzi Chagwada, the association is yet to fully embrace the majority of the country’s nurse aides.
Currently, this is the only shadow council to represent the nurse aides.
During the ceremony, 25 nurse aides, who were trained by the Mudavanhu Trust, were handed their certificates.
The Mudavanhu Charitable Trust was founded in 2019 by retired army sergeant Shepherd Mudavanhu and Colonel Godfrey Chikura, a health specialist.
In his speech, Retired Sergeant Mudavanhu thanked the graduates for committing their lives to saving lives.
“This is a noble, life-saving profession which plays an important role in the health delivery system. I would really appreciate if the nurse aides have their own council which specifically deals with their issues,” he said.
