Health workers will be rewarded: Chiwenga
VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga yesterday admitted that health workers were enduring harsh working conditions and pledged to reward them for their perseverance. Chiwenga made the remarks at Ekusileni Medical Centre in Bulawayo as he toured government hospitals in the city.
Health workers have on numerous occasions clashed with government over lack of protective clothing and poor salaries, coupled with the risks they face while attending to patients during the COVID-19 era.
Addressing stakeholders at Ekusileni, Chiwenga said he had received testimonies of how health workers were going out of their way to save lives.
“I do appreciate the dedication by our frontline healthcare workers who continue to answer the call of saving lives,” he said.
“The presentations I have been favoured with by stakeholders bear ample testimony of the many midnight candles burnt to prepare reports to enlighten me on the situation on the ground.”
Chiwenga said the efforts by health workers were going to be rewarded.
“I promise you that your gallant effort will not go in vain. The government, and indeed my ministry undertakes to address all concerns raised for the betterment of our health service delivery system,” he said.
Chiwenga said Ekusileni would soon become the best hospital in Zimbabwe.
“In the initial phase, Ekusileni Hospital will be operationalised as a national COVID-19 referral centre, in conformance with the memorandum of understanding signed by government, the National Social Security Authority, the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo City Council and IAM4Byo Trust,” he said.
“In the second phase, Cabinet approved that the hospital be utilised as a specialist, research and teaching institution after curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The function was graced by several government officials, including Local Government minister July Moyo, Bulawayo Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube, Higher and Tertiary Education deputy minister Raymore Machingura and Lands deputy minister Vangelis Haritatos.