Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, has praised The Avenues Clinic for organising and hosting this year’s International Nurses Day commemorations, describing the event as an important recognition of the critical role nurses play in the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the Harare event on May 12, Kwidini, who was the guest of honour, said nurses remain the backbone of Zimbabwe’s health sector and called for stronger institutional support for the profession, including reforms to nursing education and welfare.
Among the proposals raised by the deputy minister was a possible transition of Zimbabwe’s nursing qualification framework from a diploma to a degree program.
“Nurses in Zimbabwe graduate after an intensive three-year training programme, which training is equivalent to that of a degree,” Kwidini said.
He added that the government should now consider changing the qualification “from being a diploma to a degree programme.”
Currently, Zimbabwe’s Diploma in General Nursing is a three-year, full-time qualification administered through the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and offered mainly through public, provincial and mission hospitals.
The proposed reform reflects broader international trends toward the professionalisation of nursing, as countries seek to strengthen healthcare systems through advanced training and improved career recognition.
Kwidini also revealed that the government is considering extending Zimbabwe’s vehicle rebate scheme to nurses working in private healthcare institutions. Under the current arrangement, civil servants are allowed to import vehicles duty-free.
The deputy minister said broadening the scheme would help recognise the contribution of nurses outside the public sector, particularly those serving in private medical facilities that continue to complement government healthcare efforts.
He commended private institutions such as The Avenues Clinic for supporting national healthcare delivery and easing pressure on public hospitals.
International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12 in honour of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing.
This year’s global theme, “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” focused on structural reforms and long-term investment in the nursing profession.
The commemorations at The Avenues Clinic brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers and stakeholders to celebrate the dedication and resilience of nurses amid growing healthcare demands.
Healthcare analysts say upgrading nursing qualifications to degree level could improve professional mobility, international competitiveness and retention of skilled personnel within Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, which has experienced significant migration of trained workers in recent years.
While no timeline was announced for either the proposed education reforms or the possible extension of the vehicle rebate scheme, Kwidini’s remarks signalled growing recognition within government of the need to modernise and strengthen support for the country’s nursing workforce.
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