Zimbabwe Nurses Association Slams Ministry Over Bedridden Nurse Abandoned Without Pay After On-Duty Injury
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has slammed the Ministry of Health and Child Care after a nurse who was injured while saving a mother and newborn was allegedly left without support, pay or recognition.
ZINA said Progress Muzwa, a nurse who was seriously injured on duty, has been “abandoned” and left to suffer despite having risked her own life while carrying out her professional responsibilities.
“The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) is deeply disturbed by the inhumane treatment of a nurse, Progress Muzwa, who sustained life-altering injuries while serving her country and has since been abandoned by the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” said ZINA president Enock Dongo in a statement dated 5 August 2025.
‘No support, no care, no pay’
According to ZINA, Muzwa was injured while trying to save both a mother and baby during a medical emergency. The association said her injuries occurred in the line of duty — but no medical or financial support has been forthcoming.
“This act of heroism and sacrifice should have been met with respect, recognition, and full institutional support,” said Dongo.
“The Ministry’s failure to acknowledge that her injuries occurred in the line of duty reflects a dangerous pattern of neglect toward frontline workers.”
ZINA warned that this is not an isolated incident. It said dozens of nurses across the country suffer injuries while carrying out their duties and are also left without any help.
“What happened to Nurse Muzwa is not an isolated incident, this is just a drop in the ocean. Across Zimbabwe, many nurses are injured while carrying out their duties, some in ambulance accidents while escorting patients, others while lifting immobile patients in wards,” the statement read.
“Most of these nurses receive no support, no treatment, no compensation. Many are left to suffer silently in their homes, unable to afford care with the meagre salaries they earn.”
Currently, a government nurse in Zimbabwe earns less than US$200 (about R3,600) per month. ZINA said this is not enough to survive, let alone seek proper medical treatment after an injury.
A call for justice and change
ZINA is now demanding an investigation into how Muzwa’s case was handled and is calling for accountability from district health officials all the way to head office.
“Those responsible for this neglect must be held accountable,” Dongo said.
He added that the Ministry’s silence has created a “culture of abandonment” that is pushing qualified nurses out of the public health system and even out of the country.
“This culture of abandonment is pushing nurses out of the public service and out of the country to search for greener pastures elsewhere,” said the ZINA president.
ZINA said it will not stop fighting for Muzwa until she gets justice.
“She must receive immediate medical assistance, financial support, and justice. Her case should set a precedent for change.”
“We ask again: Who will care for the carers? If the system fails to protect those who risk their lives for patients, then it has failed entirely.”
ZINA concluded its statement with a plea to all stakeholders — including government, Parliament, and development partners — to act swiftly.
“We cannot continue to ignore the suffering of our nurses. The silence and indifference must end,” said Dongo.
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