MORE than 250 retired nurses have come out of their retirement to work in Zimbabwe's ailing health delivery system, a senior official at the United Action for Youth (UAY) Ms Everjoyce King, has said.
In an interview with The Zim Diaspora from her London home Ms King said another 100 nurses were now working past their retirement age as the only means of easing critical staff shortages in the country's health delivery system.
Ms King who is now organising a "thank you" Christmas party for the nurses in Harare's Crowne Plaza on December 17, said it was important to recognise the work being done by the older nurses.
She said the Christmas party has been organised by Zimbabweans both at home and abroad in association with United Action for Youth (UAY), a UK registered charity to recognise and appreciate the outstanding commitment the senior nurses have rendered to the nation’s public health.
Most of the senior nurses being recognised are those working past their retirement and those who have returned from their retirement after the age of 65 to help out with the acute staffing crisis the country has been experiencing over the past few years.
The returning nurses have had to work under critical conditions in the absence of medicines in hospitals.
Ms King said the older nurses came from their retirement at a time when the country's health delivery system was on the brink.
"There was a serious staffing problem in Zimbabwe's hospitals. Many younger nurses had left for greener pastures, in the UK, South Africa, Australia, Canda and so on. The situation was at some point very critical. People were dying on tables floors without due care, it was a complete disaster," she said.
"I realised the importance of these older nurses after I went home and spent 8 months looking after my sister who had given birth. Each time we took the baby to the clinic, we were attended to by older nurses who actually did a very good job," Ms King said.
"We then sat down and decided to do something special for these old nurses. Now on Thursday 17th Dec 2009, 200 senior nurses of Zimbabwe aged 60 years and over who are still working in Zimbabwe’s public health system will be attending a special party held in their honour at the Crowne Plaza, Monomotapa, Harare," she said.
Christina King, one of the organisers of the Christmas Party says, "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 given 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."
Ms King is inviting all Zimbabweans who are interested in recognising these nurses to go to www.zimsnrnurses.wordpress.com and leave a Thank You message for the nurses. Messages picked at random will be read out to the nurses at the party.
For a chance to make a contribution: go to http://www.justgiving.com/ZimSeniorNursesChristmasParty where you will be able to buy a ticket for a nurse or to buy a raffle ticket for yourself.
With raffle tickets, there are fantastic prizes like 2 Nights bed & breakfast for 2 ppl at any African Sun hotel (Conditions apply), Econet phone lines, set of Gel Nail Extensions etc are up for grabs.
Event: Zimbabwe senior nurses' Christmas party
Date: 17th Dec 2009
Time: 12PM - 4.30PM
Venue: Crowne Plaza, Monomotapa
Guests: 250 (200 nurses + 50 other guests)
