Simbao pleads with graduand nurses to stay in Zambia

Simbao pleads with graduand nurses to stay in Zambia
Written by Mwila Chansa in Kitwe
Saturday, July 11, 2009 3:27:21 PM

HEALTH minister Kapembwa Simbao has pleaded with graduand nurses to stay in Zambia and provide good health services.
And Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH) executive director Dr John Mwewa observed that well trained health personnel were cardinal to responding to challenges that posed a risk to health care provision.

During the 33rd combined graduation ceremony for the Kitwe, Ndola and Mufulira schools of nursing and midwifery at KCH sunken gardens yesterday, Simbao who was represented by Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima urged the new nurses to realise that Zambians equally needed their expert knowledge and care.

He said the Ministry of Health was aware of the difficult conditions under which nurses were operating and that the government had continued to work on measures to attract and retain all trained health care providers.

Simbao cited some of the difficulties as inadequate nursing personnel and limited facilities and equipment in most health institutions.

"I wish to reiterate that the government is committed to uplifting the standards of health care delivery in the country. Indeed, this vision can only be achieved if health providers are given quality education and are cared for by providing sustainable conditions of service," Simbao said.

He said the government remained committed to rolling out the health retention scheme to all health workers.

Simbao was delighted that the brain drain rate had reduced and that the government would go a step further and ensure that even those that had left return to Zambia.

But barely two weeks ago, Simbao threatened striking nurses and other health workers with dismissals if they did not report for work adding that their colleagues from neighbouring Zimbabwe were ready to take up their jobs.

And Dr Mwewa noted that new epidemics such as swine flu posed a risk to health care provision thereby underscoring the importance of having well trained staff to respond to such challenges.

Dr Mwewa said the health sector was embedded with chronic illnesses resulting from the impact of HIV and AIDS.

Dr Mwewa urged the government to help KCH expand its theatre and maternity wings, saying as a referral hospital, space in the two departments was limited.