Nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare downed tools on Monday, 23 March 2026, demanding an urgent review of their salaries and working conditions, in a move that has severely disrupted services at the
country’s largest referral hospital.
The nurses say they are “earning peanuts” amid a steep rise in the cost of living, and are pressing for a transport allowance, arguing that commuting to work has become increasingly unaffordable. They have also rejected
the use of Public Service Commission (PSC) buses, saying the service does not accommodate their shift patterns.Among their key demands is access to free medical care at public hospitals, with nurses saying they can no longer afford treatment themselves. They are also calling for an urgent upward review of housing allowances in response to escalating rental costs.
Uniform shortages and deteriorating work attire have further highlighted the strain on the health sector, with nurses arguing that their worn-out uniforms reflect systemic challenges rather than a lack of professionalism.
Health
