In a statement issued on 13 August 2026, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president, Enock Dongo, said morale among frontline staff had collapsed to crisis point.
ZINA, together with the Health Apex Team and wider health worker representatives, said it was concerned by the government’s “continued failure to implement agreements reached in May on the review of health-specific allowances and the unresolved concerns surrounding the health sector job evaluation.”
The union’s frustration centres on a deal struck through the Health Bipartite Negotiating Forum in May. Under that agreement, health-specific allowances would be reviewed, with the possibility of implementing revised rates from June.
Health worker representatives submitted their proposals and the Health Services Commission communicated the matter to the Ministry of Finance. Almost three months later, Dongo said, “there has been no substantive response or implementation.”
The last review of these allowances was conducted in 2022. Since then, ZINA argues, rising living costs and economic pressures have “significantly eroded the purchasing power of health workers.”
The allowances in question cover night duty, on-call, standby, nurse managers, post-basic qualifications, mental health, special health duties and uniforms – payments the association says are “no longer adequate compensation for the demanding and often unsocial conditions under which health workers operate.”
Dongo warned that continued delays are “worsening an already serious morale crisis among nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals, with potential consequences for the quality and sustainability of healthcare delivery.”
ZINA is also challenging the recently concluded health sector job evaluation conducted by the Health Services Commission. Health worker representatives have rejected its outcome, arguing that workers were inadequately consulted and that the methodology “failed to fully recognise the unique demands of healthcare, including clinical responsibility, professional accountability, emergency response, unsociable working hours, specialist qualifications and workload.”
The May agreement provided for a 4-4 appeals committee, four worker representatives and four government representatives, to consider concerns arising from the evaluation. ZINA said it is opposed to reports that the process is now being handled through the Public Service Commission instead.
“The agreed mechanism cannot be unilaterally changed,” the statement said.
The demands set out by Dongo are fourfold: that government urgently review and implement the health-specific allowances, provide a clear response to proposals already submitted, constitute the agreed 4-4 appeals committee, and ensure that the appeals process is “transparent, inclusive and appropriate to the health sector.”
“Nurses, doctors and other health professionals continue to work nights, weekends, public holidays, respond to emergencies and remain on standby while carrying their own family and financial responsibilities,” ZINA said. “They deserve fair treatment and compensation for the essential services they provide.”
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and constructive engagement, ZINA warned that “dialogue must produce results, promises must be honoured and agreements must be respected.”
Should the outstanding issues remain unresolved, health workers may consider further collective action, including withdrawal of services.
“ZINA therefore urges Government to act now in the interests of health workers and, most importantly, the people of Zimbabwe,” Dongo said.