Harare, (New Ziana) – Nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital staged a demonstration on Monday, protesting against poor working conditions.

The protest, which disrupted operations at the country’s largest referral hospital, highlighted critical shortages of essential services such as electricity and running water.

Dozens of nurses gathered outside the hospital early in the morning, holding placards with messages such as “No Water, No Power, No Care!” and “Our Patients Deserve Better.”

They accused authorities of neglecting the healthcare sector, leaving both medical professionals and patients in dire conditions.

Speaking to reporters, one nurse, who requested anonymity due to fear of victimization, said the situation had become unbearable.

“We are working in a hospital that has no electricity for hours on end, and sometimes there is no running water for days. How are we expected to provide quality care under such conditions?” she asked.

The nurses emphasized that their demonstration was not just about their own grievances but also about the welfare of patients.

“We are not just fighting for ourselves; we are fighting for our patients, who are suffering the most,” another protester added. Zimbabwe’s public health sector has been plagued by under-funding, lack of essential medical supplies, poor working conditions and an exodus of staff for greener pastures abroad.

Healthcare workers have repeatedly complained about low wages, long working hours, and poor infrastructure.

Monday’s demonstration comes amid growing concerns over persistent poor working conditions in public healthcare institutions.

Patients at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, which serves thousands of people from across the country, have reportedly been forced to endure unsafe conditions, with some surgeries being postponed due to power outages.

Authorities have acknowledged challenges in the health care sector, but attributed them to economic difficulties, including sanctions imposed on the country by the West.

New Ziana