National

Zimbabwe’s healthcare system suffers as experts leave

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2024

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care ministry is facing a severe brain drain, with a significant number of healthcare workers, including oncologists, renal specialists, surgical doctors, nurse tutors, and Intensive Care Unit nurses, leaving the country at an alarming rate.

According to Maxwell Hove, Chief Services Director in the ministry, the primary cause of this exodus is poor remuneration due to the country’s economic situation, which has resulted in wages that are too low to sustain healthcare workers, migrating to neighboring and the European countries.

“I might also want to say that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in this country, we had an excess of nursing staff,” he revealed.

“We had nurses who were sitting at home, unemployed, but after the Covid-19 pandemic, we suddenly had a vacuum where all our nurses had been attracted to greener pastures and we are now face to face with the shortage of nurses, especially the shortage of specialists nurses like those in intensive care unit, those in anesthesia, those who provide oncology, renal services and so forth,” he said.

“Even the tutors, those who are supposed to be teaching others to be nurses, we now have a shortage of those because they have either been attracted to those greener pastures or some of them have retired, these are real issues,” he added.

Hove noted that the shortage extends beyond nurses to include doctors, laboratory scientists, and specialists who have also migrated to other countries for better opportunities.

When asked about the percentage shortage ratio, Hove responded, “Well, when the World Health Organization, which does the monitoring of these ratios, on the 23rd of March 2023, WHO came to the ministry and said your index had fallen below 50 percent per 10 000, that is healthcare workers, and on that basis, they then put Zimbabwe on the red list, and what that red list means is that other member states, countries in the WHO, are no longer allowed to recruit healthcare workers from Zimbabwe because we have fallen.”

Hove attributed this crisis to years of economic sanctions and isolation, which have limited Zimbabwe’s access to international finance institutions.

“You are all aware that Zimbabwe has been operating what others may call restrictive measures, but in reality, they are economic sanctions, and because of that, it meant that our ability to, as an economy, to be able to function, accessing lines of credit from international finance institutions like IMF, World Bank, was quite limited, and that would also affect our balance of payments, so this is the source of the shortages of foreign currency that we have witnessed in the economy.”

To address this crisis, Hove said the establishment of the Health Service Commission is seized with the matters, and they are doing all they can to ensure they improve the working conditions of healthcare professionals, both monetarily and non-monetarily.

National

Government to reward top-performing schools nationwide

Published

1 week ago

January 27, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOSIZO MPOFU

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has launched a new national initiative to promote and reward academic excellence across Zimbabwe’s education system, Minister Torerayi Moyo has announced.

In a post on X, Minister Moyo said the programme will recognise and award the top 10 best-performing schools in each province, based on their 2025 pass rates at Grade Seven, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level.

“The recognition is a celebration of high-performing schools that have consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to academic achievement and the holistic development of learners,” said Moyo. He added that the initiative aligns with the Government’s commitment to providing equitable, inclusive and quality education, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).

In addition to provincial awards, the ministry will also identify and reward the top five best-performing schools nationally in the 2025 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) and Cambridge examinations. These schools will be honoured on 20 March 2026.

According to the minister, the recognised institutions will serve as “beacons of excellence and inspiration,” setting benchmarks for quality education and academic performance across the country.

Minister Moyo also called on individuals, corporates, well-wishers and development partners to support the initiative through sponsorships, awards, grants and other forms of assistance.

“This support will go a long way in motivating our hardworking teachers and headmasters,” he said.

Those interested in supporting the programme have been advised to contact the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Head Office through official communication channels.

National

79 dead as floods hit communities

Published

2 weeks ago

January 22, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

As the Zimbabwe enters the peak of its rainy season from January to March, communities across the country are being urged to remain on high alert following the deaths of 79 people due to flooding and rain-related disasters since October last year.

Speaking to the Herald newspaper, Department of Civil Protection Chief Director Nathan Nkomo said the department is closely monitoring the situation as more severe weather is expected in the coming weeks.

“We anticipate significant rainfall during this period. It’s crucial for everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions,” Nkomo said.

According to the Department of Civil Protection, many of the deaths and injuries recorded since the start of the 2025/2026 rainfall season resulted from people attempting to cross flooded rivers and mining-related accidents, particularly involving artisanal miners operating near waterways.

“The statistics reveal a worrying trend of fatalities and injuries during this rainfall season,” Nkomo said.

Infrastructure worth more than US$1 million has also been damaged, disrupting livelihoods and access to essential services in several communities.

In response, Government has released funding towards disaster management and emergency response through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach, involving security services and other stakeholders as outlined in the Civil Protection Act. Nkomo said the initial tranche of funds has already strengthened rescue operations.

“The money that was availed is not enough, but it is the first tranche. We are expecting another tranche from Treasury later this month to bolster our disaster response capabilities,” he said.

Authorities are urging communities to take an active role in disaster preparedness by monitoring weather forecasts, avoiding flooded areas, and implementing local emergency plans. Schools and community organisations have also been encouraged to conduct safety drills and ensure emergency procedures are well communicated.

With heavy rains expected to continue, officials warn that community vigilance and preparedness will be key in preventing further loss of life.

SOURCE: HERALD

National

Government warns farmers to step up tick control as January Disease threat looms

Published

3 weeks ago

January 15, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has urged livestock farmers across Zimbabwe to heighten disease surveillance and tick control measures as the 2026 rainy season continues, warning of an increased risk of January Disease (Theileriosis).

In a farmer advisory posted on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, authorities said the tick-borne disease spreads rapidly under warm and wet conditions and can decimate entire cattle herds if not effectively controlled.

The Ministry emphasised that weekly cattle dipping is mandatory during the rainy season, in line with Government policy to curb the spread of the brown ear tick, the primary carrier of January Disease. Farmers were urged to pay dipping levies, ensure correct acaricide dilution as per manufacturers’ instructions, and utilise spray races where possible for improved effectiveness.

In high-risk areas or during active outbreaks, farmers may be directed to follow a 5:5:4 dipping regime, involving more frequent dipping intervals. The Ministry also recommended the use of tick grease on sensitive areas such as inside the ears, the udder and under the tail.

As part of broader prevention efforts, the Ministry said the locally produced BOLVAC vaccine is now available in increased quantities, with farmers encouraged to contact their local veterinary offices to access the vaccine.

Farmers were further advised to conduct daily inspections of their cattle and remain alert to early warning signs of January Disease, which include swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, frothing, watery or cloudy eyes, fever and general weakness.

The Ministry reminded farmers that all suspected cases or sudden cattle deaths must be reported to the Directorate of Veterinary Services within 24 hours, stressing that the movement of sick or tick-infested animals is prohibited as it contributes to the spread of the disease.

Failure to comply with dipping regulations constitutes an offence under the Animal Health Act, with penalties that may include fines or arrest, the Ministry warned.

Farmers requiring assistance or wishing to report suspected cases were advised to contact their local Veterinary Extension Officer or the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

“Prevention saves wealth,” the Ministry said, urging farmers to take proactive measures to protect their herds.