Graduates listen to Dr Parirenyatwa’s address at Midlands Provincial Hospital…says maternal mortality rate still high
Itai Muzondo in Gweru
GWERU – The Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa has lamented the shortage of midwives in the country saying the crisis has resulted in high maternal mortality rate.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at Gweru Provincial Hospital where nurses, environmental health officers and midwives were caped, Dr Parirenyatwa said government was making efforts to ensure that all trained health professionals get work.
“The total number of midwives in the country is just over 6 000 and I am not happy with that figure; we still have a gap and we need some more. We have a gap because the maternal mortality rate is still high. We really need more midwives.
“Of 1 459 environmental health officers in the country, only 860 are employed. We are also trying to take them in to man the country’s entry points and have them as port health security officers.
“Also in place is a move to employ all the nurses we train. Of the 4 000 that have been unemployed, we have since taken up 2 000. We will take in more though all will be done in phases. We really shouldn’t have unemployed nurses in the near future.
“This graduation is a milestone to progressive health service delivery for Midlands and Zimbabwe at large. Our numbers of graduates continue to increase and their footprints will be visible in the quality of health care that will be provided in the country,” said Dr Parirenyatwa.
He applauded Gweru Provincial Hospital for what he said were continued efforts to improve the delivery of health services.
Dr Parirenyatwa also toured and officially opened the hospital’s refurbished Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Cervical Cancer Screening Facility and Multi-Purpose Sports Facility.
A total of 369 students received certificates for completing their studies; 213 of them being nurses while 90 were midwives and 66 were environmental health technicians.health,top news
