AFTER hundreds of nurses abandoned Zimbabwe’s health system over the last decade, stories of heroism are emerging.
The government’s SOS was answered by 300 senior nurses who came out of retirement to avert total collapse – and a group of Zimbabweans are coming together to honour them.
The nurses, all aged 60 years and over, will receive hampers at a special Christmas party hosted in their honour at a Harare hotel on Thursday, December 17.
Health Minister Henry Madzorera will officiate at the event organised by the UK-based Zimbabwean charity, United Action Youth.
Everjoyce King, one of the organisers, said she was “greatly touched” after her sister delivered a baby at a Harare hospital with the help of senior nurses last year.
She said: “I found that they were always cheerful, they were so keen to help new mothers and make sure they knew what they were doing with the children.
“They were just hopeful people, who just got on with their jobs without moaning – yet I knew they were working in an extremely difficult environment, their salaries barely enough to get them to work for a week.
“But they still managed to go to work, and they never call in sick. They are just an amazing group of people and I said then I would organise something to show our appreciation for them, and we need Zimbabweans at home and around the world to come on board and give our senior nurses a big thank you.”
King teamed with her sister, Malyam Matsinde, who chairs the event’s organising committee in Harare, and they have been raising funds to stage the event.
“The ministry of health gave us a list of the senior nurses from around the country and we must pay their transport costs, overnight accommodation and buy everyone of them the US$20 hamper. We hope to make this an annual event,” King said.
In a video released by the organisers, a senior nurse at the Mt Pleasant Poly Clinic, Avis Marilyn Mukome, said: “It means so much to me just to hear somebody say ‘thank you’. It makes me happy right from the inside of my heart.”
King added: “We can’t give them a pay rise, but we can thank them. Our senior nurses have been a true example of ultimate service to the people. They have been a linchpin to Zimbabwe’s public health system, continuing in their jobs of caring for the sick at a time when most of us would have chosen to give up.
“Their commitment and dedication humbles us. This Christmas party in their honour is the least we felt we could do to acknowledge and appreciate them for who they are – an outstanding contribution to society.”
Some of the nursing heroes being honoured:
L-R: Martha Lucas Hodzi, Christine Thawe, Avis Mukome and Pauline Masundah
Name: Martha Lucas Hodzi
Age: 67
Profession: General Nurse
Places worked: Ndanga Hospital, Masvingo (10 years), then Poly clinics all around Harare (35 years)
Years of Service: Since 1963 (46 years)
When retired: Aug 2007
Returned to nursing: May 2008
Why nursing: Just to help the sick |
Name: Christine Thawe
Age: 66
Profession: Midwife at City Health – Highfield. Also covered most Poly Clinics in Harare
Years of Service: Since 1974 (35 years)
When retired: June 2008
Returned to nursing: June 2009
Why nursing: If I am still strong, I’d rather help people |
Name: Avis Marilyn Mukome
Age: 64
Family: 7 children, 6 grandchildren, married for 38 years
Profession: Midwife at Harare Hospital, Edith Opperman Maternity Hospital and Harare Poly Clinics
Years of Service: Since 1968 (41 years)
Why nursing: To help the sick especially poor people they are the ones who use the clinic |
Name: Pauline Sharai Massundah
Age: 67
Family: 2 children, 3 grandchildren, married for 41 years
Profession: Midwife at Gweru General Hospital 9yrs, City council 33
Number of Service: Since 1968 (41 years)
When retired: Jul 2007
Returned to nursing: Aug 2007
Why nursing: To help sick people. It was really not about the money. I just thank God to have survived to this day |
EVERJOYCE KING ON HONOURING SENIOR NURSES
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
CALL EVERJOYCE on 07852278010 or Linda 07903882242 to donate prizes for a raffle draw