Nurses at Harare Hospital have intensified their protest over low salaries and poor working conditions, with some now proposing a two-day workweek as a coping strategy. The suggestion reflects growing frustration among healthcare workers who say their earnings are no longer enough to survive, especially as transport costs continue to rise.
Speaking anonymously, one of the nurses said most of their monthly salary is consumed by commuting expenses, leaving little for basic needs. “The amount we are paid can only cater for transport, yet the cost of living in Zimbabwe continues to rise,” the nurse explained.
The proposal to reduce working days to just two per week highlights the severity of the crisis, as nurses struggle to balance their responsibilities with economic realities. Many say the situation has made it increasingly difficult to remain in the profession.
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In addition to low wages, nurses raised concerns about deteriorating conditions in hospitals. The same source described the working environment as unbearable, citing a lack of essential resources. “Working as a nurse in Zimbabwe has become one of the worst things due to the poor living and working conditions,” she said.
The current protest mirrors a similar demonstration in May 2025, when nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital downed tools over worsening conditions. That action disrupted services at one of the country’s largest referral hospitals and drew widespread attention.
During the earlier protest, healthcare workers pointed to the absence of basic amenities such as electricity and running water, warning that such challenges severely affect patient care. They cautioned that without urgent intervention, the quality of healthcare services would continue to deteriorate.
The renewed demonstrations in Harare underscore deepening dissatisfaction within the healthcare sector, as economic pressures and infrastructure challenges persist. Nurses are urging authorities to act swiftly, warning that failure to address their concerns could further weaken an already strained health system.
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