Enock Dongo

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@nickmangwana Definitely I will take the vaccine,if I don’t take it what is the alternative?

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw I would say to him to achieve his vision for Zimbabwe, the health sector needs to be prioritized more than what is currently happening

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw Our message to is that we request Zimbabweans to help us put the message across that government needs to capacitate the health sector not only through nurses & drs coming back to work but also ensuring that our hospitals are adequately equipped to attend to all medical issues.

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw Our position is that until our demands have been met, we will not be able to return back to work.

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw No we are not afraid because we believe he has been appointed to address the problems rather than add more on top. We look forward to engaging him and believe he has the interests of the health sector, including health workers, as his core mandate and would want to end impasse

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw After the appointment of Vice President Chiwenga, we are hopeful there will be change especially considering that our demands will also now be directly going to the presidium. Anyone chosen to do the job deserves the benefit of doubt that they can attend to the issues

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw The mood amongst members, even in the wake of those arrests, is actually more of determination than before. As ZINA we have a duty to pursue the interests of our members and we reflect the voices of the majority of nurses in Zimbabwe

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 2/2 afford food, transport, rent, school fees and anyone saying such demands are meant to destablize government is either uninformed, deflecting or intimidating genuine demands

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 1/2We are apolitical and do not make political demands but labour ones. Our membership transcends political affiliation but we speak with one voice on issues affecting our profession. In any event, we do not need foreigners or anyone else for that matter to tell us that we cannot

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw In terms of PPEs, nurses are only being given one face mask which they are expected to wear during their entire shift. So even if you remove it to eat or any other reason, you put it back on afterwards which itself is not recommended by WHO.Sometimes they are given plastic aprons

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw The majority of nurses are doing their work with a face mask only. Others have resorted to using bedsheets and plastic bags to cover their bodies and hands where they suspect a patient may be infected in the general ward and they do not have aprons

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw The truth is nurses do not feel safe which is why the majority have decided not to go to work until the issue of PPEs has also been addressed because we believe the numbers can be reduced through adequate provisions across the health sector

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 2/2 So our issue right now is that all nurses should get adequate PPEs regardless of whether they are in covid or non-covid zones

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 1/2The reason is due to lack of adequate PPEs. Statistics further show that of the affected nurses,majority are those working in non-Covid-19 zones (i.e. general wards) in hospitals because those in designated Covid-19 zones have at least been getting close to adequate PPEs

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw The regional average of nurses salaries is US$1,000

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 2/2 jobs with the knowledge that our wages are not being eroded daily. We believe government can afford to pay us in US$ because we can see the money being used on other things so health sector and workers should also be prioritized

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 1/2 Yes its true that nurses want to be paid in US$ because it is a stable currency unlike the ZW$ which loses value every Tuesday after the RBZ auction and which is susceptible to inflation. We cannot always be chasing the value of the US$ but we should be fully focused on our

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw The issue is about both money and PPEs. Section 65(1) of the Constitution gives us the right to a fair wage and safe labour practices. Without a fair wage, we are incapaciated from coming to work. Without PPEs (even assuming the wage is fair) it is unsafe for us to be at work.

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 2/2 from being infected by the deadly Covid-19 at work because of lack of PPEs. This has nothing to do with money

[Enock Dongo @dongo_enock]

@OpenParlyZw 1/2Thats unfair because it comes from people who want to see nurses at work but not concerned with if the nurse can afford to come to work, or if they have a roof over their head or if they have had something to eat etc. Also, our issue is not just about money but our protection