HEALTHCARE workers at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare, who staged a protest on Monday, flagged the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), accusing the humanitarian organisation of poor offering service at its kiosk.
The protesters highlighted deteriorating working conditions that have disrupted operations at one of the country’s largest referral hospitals.
They raised concern about lack of basic amenities, such as electricity and running water, which they say are severely affecting their ability to work and provide proper care for patients.
The demonstration, which began early in the morning on Monday, saw dozens of nurses holding placards with slogans like No Water, No Power, No Care! and Our Patients Deserve Better.
The health workers also expressed frustration over the expensive food sold at the ZRCS kiosk and sub-standard service.
The protesters also accused ZRCS kiosk cashiers of not accepting the local currency, causing inconvenience to hospital staff and patients.
“The food at the Red Cross Kiosk is very expensive and not affordable for many of us as well as patients and ordinary people,” a nurse at the hospital said.
“The kiosk staff does not accept the local currency, they want us to pay in US dollars only.”
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The health workers raised alarm over Red Cross’s paralysing operations, highlighting its failure to serve its purpose as a humanitarian organisation.
In a video that went viral on Monday, the nurses could be heard chanting, “Red Cross inodhura! Red Cross ngaivharwe!”
The health workers expressed frustration, pointing out that the ZRCS kiosk at the hospital has become very expensive and it should be closed.
ZRCS secretary-general Elias Hwenga said he could not comment on the nurses’ protest at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
“I cannot speak on behalf of the authorities as the nurses were airing their views to their administration,” he said.
“All I know is that our canteen at the hospital provides excellent and affordable services.
“What standards have deteriorated that you talk about?
“Did you bother to check how much we charge for our goods and compare with others within the same hospital?”
Monday’s demonstration came on the back of deteriorating operations of ZRCS, touted as one of the biggest humanitarian organisations in the country.
In a recent financial update, authorities at ZRCS confirmed that the humanitarian organisation was reeling under a US$2 million debt, including US$307 463 owed to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority in unpaid employee taxes.
However, Hwenga refuted the allegations saying they are false.
ZRCS is auxiliary to the government as mandated through the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Act No 30 of 1981 also known as [Chapter 17:08].
It has branches throughout the country and is part of the global Red Cross movement present in 189 countries.
