Health Correspondent
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) senior official, Senator David Coltart, has strongly criticized Vice President Constantine Chiwenga, who also serves as the health minister in Zimbabwe’s ZANU PF-led government. Coltart condemned Chiwenga’s recent remarks, in which he stated that nurses should not leave Zimbabwe in search of better opportunities, deeming such actions a crime against humanity due to the resulting shortage of staff in Zimbabwean hospitals.
Chiwenga made these comments during an event in Harare, despite the fact that healthcare workers in the country are facing significant salary cuts and a collapsing healthcare system as a consequence of corruption and incompetence within the government. Many healthcare workers have been compelled to leave the country, particularly for destinations like the UK, after completing basic training as nurse aides or care workers.
In his criticism, Senator Coltart highlighted the irony of the situation by pointing out the actions of Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. Coltart revealed that Ncube is currently campaigning in Cowdray Park to secure a seat as a Member of Parliament for that area, utilizing free nurse aid classes as a campaign strategy. Senator Coltart expressed his discontent on social media, stating that while Chiwenga condemns those who encourage individuals with critical skills to emigrate, he should turn his attention closer to home and address the fact that his own Finance Minister is effectively facilitating the emigration of caregivers to the UK in Cowdray Park.
The remarks by Senator Coltart shed light on the hypocrisy within the government, as it criticizes healthcare workers for seeking better opportunities abroad while its own officials are involved in actions that contribute to the departure of skilled professionals from the country.
