Nurses call for improved salaries, working environment

By Jackson Mapapayi 

THERE is need for employers to provide decent salaries and improve the working environment for nurses and midwives for them to provide services that maintain respect for human dignity, the Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation (ZUNO) has said.

ZUNO president Tiza Chiponda said this is because salaries for nurses and midwives do not correspond with the demand and responsibilities of their job and the level of education. 

“Therefore, we continue to call upon employers to protect the dignity and autonomy of nurses and midwives in the workplace, as this is critical to the provision of quality healthcare services to our citizens,” said Ms Chiponda.

She stated that for sometime now, the union has been raising concern over the nurse patient ratio, calling for the employment of more nurses and midwives to further improve on patient safety and healthcare services of which government has given it an ear.

She said the move to employ over 11,000 health personnel is step  in the  right direction as it will reduce the nurse patient ratio.

Ms Chiponda was speaking at the commemoration of the International Nurses Day in Solwezi.

“There are also strategies for improving workforce issues such as remuneration, conditions of employment, career development and advancement and development of positive work environment,” she said.

Meanwhile, General Nursing Council of Zambia Chief Registrar Dr Aaron Banda also emphasised the need to ensure nurses are motivated to provide efficient and effective health services to the public.

Dr Banda said it is imperative that government invests in the profession and respect their rights even as they conduct their work in the clinical and other areas.