Govt To Open More Nurse Training Centres To Boost Healthcare Access
The Government will establish new nurse training centres across Zimbabwe to decentralise education and widen access, a move officials say will boost healthcare delivery and advance Vision 2030’s goal of leaving no one and no place behind.
Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini said decentralising nurse training schools will help close the shortage of skilled professionals in rural areas while creating opportunities for students from remote districts to pursue nursing careers.
He made the remarks at Gokwe South District Hospital during the graduation ceremony for 173 Primary Care Nurses from the 2023 class.
Building on this vision, Kwidini stressed that “the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa is opening more nurse training centres nationwide to expand access to healthcare education, leaving no one and no place behind in line with Vision 2030.”
He told graduates their frontline role carries “tremendous responsibility and extraordinary privilege to nurture and preserve life,” urging them to listen, observe, monitor and act with care.
He further emphasised that nurses must combine medical knowledge with compassion, resilience and lifelong learning.
Professional conduct, he said, requires treating the whole person with empathy and kindness, reminding graduates that “behind every patient is a unique story, a family, and a community.”
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Kwidini urged graduates to draw strength from support systems and to prioritise self‑care in order to sustain their ability to care for others.
“Remember your purpose so you can better care for others,” he said.
Turning to the wider role of nurses, Kwidini called on the new professionals to be champions for patients and the profession.
“Be advocates. Speak out and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, for your colleagues, and for the future of healthcare,” he said.
He encouraged them to seize opportunities and deliver impact:
“You have the power to imagine a better future for healthcare and to help people every day. So, go forth and set the world on fire with your dedication and care.”
Graduand Tinashe Matare said the class of 2023 overcame sleepless nights and rigorous clinical practice to reach their achievement.
“As a class of 2023, we have reached a significant milestone, a culmination of countless hours of study, clinical practice and unwavering dedication,” he said.
Matare thanked authorities for reopening the nursing school, noting that “now more nurses will be trained here and serve the nation.”
The expansion of training centres, officials say, will produce more nurses like Matare and his peers, strengthening healthcare delivery across Zimbabwe and ensuring that communities nationwide benefit from skilled, compassionate professionals.
