By Eugenie Muchetu
Harare , (New Ziana) -Nursing is more than a profession-it is a calling-and for Tsitsi Mukaro, a recent graduate of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Nursing School, hers was shaped by the needs of her community.
While working at Gutu Mission Hospital, Mukaro witnessed a gap in eye care services and chose to specialize in ophthalmic nursing to address it and her dedication was recognized at the 2025 Nurses Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony, where she received five awards, namely the highest marks in Theatre Assessment, top theory performance over 13 months, best Outpatient Assessment, best practical student, and best ophthalmic nurse throughout the course.
She was one of 247 nurses who graduated, 176 post-basic specialist nurses and 71 general nurses, underscoring the institution’s vital role in strengthening Zimbabwe’s health system.
“I feel so happy. I’m excited. I can’t even talk properly,” she said, beaming with joy. “I thank God above all, because it can only be God. When I go back, I have ophthalmic skills that I’ve learned at Parirenyatwa for the past year, and I hope to be able to help the community where eye conditions are concerned.”
Mukaro’s story reflects the transformative impact of the Parirenyatwa Nursing School as the graduation ceremony celebrated academic excellence and highlighted its contribution to the national health workforce.
With graduates trained in disciplines such as midwifery, oncology, anaesthetics, and operating theatre nursing, the institution continues to supply highly skilled professionals to both urban hospitals and rural clinics.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora praised nurses as central to Zimbabwe’s health system, saying, “The country cannot speak of primary health care or universal health coverage without recognising the indispensable contributions of nurses and midwives as they are the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s health delivery system. In every hospital, clinic and rural health centre, they are the first to respond, the first to comfort and the first to save lives.”
The school is set to benefit from 5 000 newly approved health posts, which will enable the recruitment of Nursing Tutors, a move which will see the revival of suspended programs like mental health nursing, strengthen nursing schools and expand training capacity nationwide.
Dr Mombeshora said the initiative reflects the commitment of the government to produce “competent, confident and compassionate nurses” and ensuring equitable access to care.
Like many African countries, Zimbabwe faces a critical shortage of nurses, currently having a deficit of 64 000 healthcare workers and needing double that number, an estimated 128 000 by 2028, to meet its healthcare needs.
Over the years, Zimbabwe has experienced a significant exodus of professionals, with 35 938 Zimbabweans granted work visas to the United Kingdom between June 2023 and June 2024, the majority being healthcare workers.
The UK National Health Service (NHS) reported in 2019 that it had employed more than 4 000 Zimbabwean healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and clinical support staff, making Zimbabwe the second-largest African contributor to the NHS workforce after Nigeria.
Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates a shortage of 4.8 million nurses and midwives by 2030, with the greatest gaps in Africa, South-East Asia, and parts of Latin America.
Established in 1927, Parirenyatwa School of Nursing is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in Zimbabwe.
Originally training general nurses at the then Salisbury Hospital, it now offers ten specialized post-basic diploma programs, including renal nursing, ophthalmic training, oncology and palliative care, community health, nurse administration, and nurse anaesthetists.
With 437 students currently enrolled—the largest in the country—the school plays a critical role in addressing both general and specialist nursing needs.
Dr Mombeshora noted that the Ministry’s health workforce agenda aligns with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.
“Guided by the Health Labour Market Analysis conducted in 2022, we developed a Health Compact investment plan that seeks to increase nurse training output from about 3 300 in 2022 to at least 7 000 annually by 2030,” he said.
A new one-year curriculum will allow primary care nurses to upgrade to registered general nurses, helping fill staffing gaps at district and community levels.
Universities are also expanding nursing pathways with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing pioneered by the University of Zimbabwe now offered by several institutions including the National University of Science and Technology, Great Zimbabwe University, Reformed Church University, Solusi University and Women’s University in Africa.
“These university-based degrees complement our globally respected Diploma in Nursing,” noted Dr Mombeshora. “Together they provide multiple routes for professional growth.”
Like Mukaro, most graduates will return to their posts in rural and urban centres, applying their newly acquired skills to improve community health.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals chief medical officer Dr Tsitsi Magure noted that most graduates return to their home provinces, assisting in decentralising specialist services and bring health care closer to communities.
Since its inception, the school has trained over 8 400 nurses making it the largest and most diverse nurse training institution in Zimbabwe, and remains the only institution offering several high-demand specialized programs.
“This long and rich history continues to inspire excellence, compassion, and service of every nurse who pass through the doors of this hospital,” she noted. “Because brand Parirenyatwa is a big brand and we promise you, we will remain the same.”
She said the school is embracing digital transformation in line with the goal of the Ministry to expand training capacity and modernize learning. Hybrid models will allow students to train virtually while doing practicals at local hospitals.
“We envision a future wherein education integrates digital and digital learning platforms breaking the barriers of traditional brick and mortar classrooms this will allow for increased student intakes through hybrid learning models, wider access to specialised training for nurses in remote districts and enhance collaboration with partner institutions across Zimbabwe and SADC,” she explained.
Dr Magure listed hallmarks of excellence that define Parirenyatwa School of Nursing, including its wide spectrum of specialist programs, regional recognition, and clinical attachment opportunities for students from other institutions.
“We are committed to quality assurance and the alignment of international best practises in nursing education, our school’s continuing success is made possible through our dedicated tutors, mentors, clinicians and administrative teams whose commitment sustains these figures of excellence,” she said.
The reputation of the school has drawn students from Botswana and Eswatini, and its pass rates remain exceptional, ranging from 96 percent to 100 percent across all programs in 2024.
“Operating theatre nursing we had 100 percent pass rate, diploma in anaesthetics we had 100 percent pass rate, renal nursing 100 percent, intensive and coronary care 98 percent, ophthalmic nursing 98 percent, oncology and palliative care 96 percent and midwifery 100 percent,” said Dr Magure.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Ngoni Mawoyo urged his peers to uphold nursing ethics and serve with pride.
“Let us strive to make a difference in the lives of our patients, families and our communities. May we go out and make a difference in the world. Zimbabwe needs us today more than before. Let us keep the Florence Nightingale light burning,” he said, commending the government and the school for providing free training.
From the corridors of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to remote district clinics, these graduates carry more than Diplomas, but the weight of a nation’s hope and if Zimbabwe is to achieve universal health coverage, it will not be through policy papers or promises, but through the hands, hearts, and courage of its nurses.
New Ziana
