Tawanda Marwizi
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) certified about 130 nurse aides on Friday afternoon at Long Cheng Plaza in Harare as part of an ongoing health and social services programme.
The graduates who are part of the over 15 000 trained countrywide this year were attached to various referral hospitals and private medical centres in Harare.
Speaking at the ceremony, ZRCS National President Edson Mlambo highlighted the importance of nurse aides in the provision of quality and affordable health care.
“Our nurse aides are high professionals and well-trained and their role in the provision of quality health care cannot be over-emphasised. They work closely with registered general nurses and other health professionals in ensuring that the ordinary Zimbabwean gets the best medical service possible,” he said.
Mlambo said even as the nation grappled with the cholera outbreak which rocked Harare and most parts of Zimbabwe, Red Cross nurse aides were on call and assisting the infected.
“We all know of the recent cholera outbreak and I am happy that the deployed Red Cross nurse aides were up to the task and remained committed and professional in their execution of duty,” he said.
Some of the graduates commended the Red Cross for empowering them with the internationally-recognised certificate and highlighting that beyond placements in hospitals and clinics, they were also earning a living through providing individual home nursing services.
ZRCS Secretary General Maxwell Phiri called on aspiring nurse aides to register and train at their various training centres around Zimbabwe.
“We believe in churning out the best from our various training centres around Zimbabwe. Our training costs are quite affordable and we encourage aspiring nurse aides to visit the nearest Red Cross centre so that they get equipped with this life-saving skill,” Phiri said.
