The Government has approved 5,000 new health posts for the Ministry of Health and Child Care, marking a major step toward resolving critical staff shortages across Zimbabwe’s health sector. Recruitment is expected to begin immediately.
Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora announced the development during the 2025 Nurses Graduation and Prize-Giving Ceremony held at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Friday, where 247 nurses graduated – 176 post-basic specialist nurses and 71 general nurses.
“This development will strengthen our schools and ensure that our expanded training institutions are well staffed and properly resourced. This happened just about two weeks ago. So we are starting recruitment,” said Dr. Mombeshora.
He said the new posts, which include tutor positions, reflect Government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare and to producing “competent, confident and compassionate nurses for the nation.”
Parirenyatwa School of Nursing – established in 1927 – now offers 10 post-basic diploma programmes, including renal nursing, ophthalmic training, oncology and palliative care, community health, nurse administration, and nurse anaesthetics. The school had recently suspended its mental health specialist programme due to a shortage of tutors but is now recruiting to reinstate it.
“The country cannot speak of primary healthcare or universal health coverage without recognising the indispensable role of nurses and midwives. They are the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s health delivery system – the first to respond, comfort, and save lives,” said Dr. Mombeshora.
He noted that Government continues to invest in strengthening nursing and midwifery education to build a resilient health workforce. Training capacity has expanded to 29 general nurse training schools, 18 primary care nursing schools, and 22 midwifery schools, with new institutions being established in previously underserved districts.
“In 2025, two new schools opened in Gokwe North and Chelanyemba in Matabeleland South. Another institution is expected to open in Maphisa in April 2026,” he said.
Dr. Mombeshora added that the Ministry’s workforce agenda is guided by Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1, supported by the Health Labour Market Analysis (2022), which aims to increase nurse training output from about 3,300 in 2022 to at least 7,000 annually by 2030.
The Ministry has also adopted the Impilo Fundo e-learning platform, which provides nurses and midwives with interactive learning resources to ensure continuity of education even in remote areas.
Dr. Mombeshora commended First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, the country’s Health Ambassador, for spearheading hospital and training institution refurbishments through the Angel of Hope Foundation.
“Hostels, classrooms and hospital wards have been renovated. Learning conditions have improved, and essential resources mobilised. Your efforts have transformed the learning environment for our students and uplifted the overall standard of healthcare delivery,” he said.
To address staffing shortages at district level and promote career progression, the Ministry is developing a one-year upgrading curriculum to allow primary care nurses to advance to registered general nurses.
Universities have also expanded professional pathways for nurses. The University of Zimbabwe’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programme has been adopted by NUST, Great Zimbabwe University, Reformed Church University, Solusi University, and the Women’s University in Africa.
“These university-based degrees complement our globally respected Diploma in Nursing, which remains the backbone of Zimbabwe’s nursing education,” said Dr. Mombeshora.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tsitsi Magure said the Parirenyatwa School of Nursing plays a key role in producing the national health workforce, with 437 students currently enrolled – the largest in the country.
“Our graduates serve in all provinces, ensuring decentralisation of specialist services and equitable access to quality healthcare,” she said.
Dr. Magure added that the school is integrating digital learning to expand access and enhance training efficiency. “We envision a future where hybrid learning models allow wider student intakes and increased access to specialised training, especially in remote districts,” she said.
She highlighted exceptional academic performance, with pass rates between 96% and 100% across all programmes in 2024, including 100% in operating theatre nursing, anaesthetics, renal, and midwifery courses.
Dr. Magure reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing “competent, compassionate and innovative nurses” aligned with the Ministry’s goal to double the number of health workers by 2030.
