ZIMBABWE,s public hospitals were thrown into chaos on Monday, 20 April, as nurses began a 3-day strike over salaries they describe as “unlivable”. Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora is pleading for patience, urging nurses to suspend the strike and return to the table for “constructive dialogue”.
But on the ground, the mood is defiant. At Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, nurses held a brief, tense demonstration before walking out. Inside the wards, confused patients were left waiting on empty benches as services stalled. One elderly man, due for post-surgery dressing, told staff he’d “just go home and pray”.
Parirenyatwa Hospital saw a quieter protest. Nurses huddled in small groups near the entrance, refusing to take up shifts. By mid-morning, ward activity had dropped sharply. Routine procedures were postponed. Only emergency cases were being attended to by skeletal staff.
From Bulawayo to Harare: The Strike Spreads
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) confirmed the job action spread beyond Harare. Nurses at United Bulawayo Hospitals also downed tools before police moved in to disperse the gathering.
The trigger? A US$30 pay increase for April. Nurses say it’s a slap in the face after months of negotiations. Their demand: monthly salaries closer to US$600, enough to match regional standards and survive Zimbabwe’s cost of living.
ZINA had warned government through the Health Services Commission weeks ago. The strike was first set for 15 April. It was postponed after authorities reportedly promised a deal near the US$600 mark. When payslips landed on 14 April with only a small local-currency adjustment, ZINA issued a 48-hour notice and walked.
Minister Calls for Calm
Mombeshora confirmed receiving ZINA’s concerns and announced an extraordinary technical meeting between the Health Apex Panel and the Health Services Commission.
“Government recognises the importance of these concerns and reaffirms its commitment to continued engagement through the appropriate channels,” he said. “Processes are underway to review the concerns in a structured and responsible manner, guided by the need to balance the delivery of critical health services with the welfare of health workers.”
He appealed directly to nurses: “The Ministry appeals to these health workers who have withdrawn their services to suspend the industrial action and allow space for constructive dialogue and orderly engagement in the best interests of the patients and the nation at large.”
Patients Caught in the Middle
With talks only just beginning, patients remain the biggest casualties. Cancer treatments, chronic care reviews, and maternity check-ups have all been disrupted. At Sally Mugabe, a mother waiting for her child’s asthma medication said she’d been told to “come back next week”.
As the 3-day strike unfolds, the question is whether government’s promised review will come fast enough — or if Zimbabwe’s health system is headed for a deeper crisis.
