By Own Correspondent

Zimbabwe’s government is now facing a critical standoff with health workers, who warn that the nation is on the verge of a nurses strike after authorities yet again failed to deliver on a key promise to review health-specific allowances.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president and Health Apex Team leader Enock Dongo has sounded the alarm, stating that the government’s latest excuse of “no fiscal space” has only intensified widespread anger and frustration among nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other health professionals.

“This continued failure to honour commitments has reached a breaking point. The health workforce is demoralized, and we are saying enough is enough,” Dongo said, cautioning that patience is wearing dangerously thin.

Health-specific allowances were last reviewed in 2022, despite ongoing demands and worsening working conditions. Health workers have continued to shoulder the burden of night duty and on-call shifts, but stagnant pay has failed to keep pace with the soaring cost of living.

In April, the government pledged to review health workers’ allowances by June. However, at a recent negotiating meeting, representatives were told the review would not happen this year due to budget constraints.

Dongo described the government’s reversal as not only disappointing but also a trigger for possible industrial action. With tensions escalating, the government now sits on a powder keg, risking a strike that could cripple the already stretched health sector if urgent action is not taken.