Nurses shortage hits Chinhoyi

CHINHOYI Municipality has been forced to cut working hours at its clinics due to a serious shortage of health personnel, which is affecting the local authority.

There are fears that the municipality might be overwhelmed in the event of a disease outbreak.

Council spokesperson Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said some clinics which used to operate for 24 hours had since revised their working hours to eight.

“As of Mzari Polyclinic, it operates between 8am and 4.30pm, while Chikonohono and Chinhoyi clinics still operate 24 hours a day,” he said.

“Due to staff shortage, Chinhoyi Clinic has cut off its operating time as it is now serving patients from 8am to 4.30 pm.”

One of the council clinics, Shackleton Mine Clinic, has never operated a 24-hour shift.

Further, Alaska Mine Clinic only attends to emergency cases.

Mr Mlauzi said plans were underway to recruit additional personnel.

“All patients who fall ill after Chinhoyi Clinic has closed (or after hours) can still be attended at Chikonohono Clinic or Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital (CPU), which are nearer,” Mr Mlauzi said.

Meanwhile, Chinhoyi residents are calling on council to build new toilets in the central business district (CBD).

Currently, there is only one functional public toilet in the area.

Mr Tendai Musonza of Ward 11 made the request during a Constituency Development Fund consultative meeting in Chinhoyi recently.

“We appeal that part of the $3 000 CDF which has been allocated for development purposes in Ward 11 to be channelled towards the construction of new toilets and maintenance of existing ones in the city centre,” he said.

But Mr Mlauzi said council was in the process of repairing the damaged toilet.