Caregivers’ comfort top priority, says Minister

Source: Caregivers’ comfort top priority, says Minister – herald

Gibson Nyikadzino in GWERU

GOVERNMENT is working around the clock to put systems in place to combat psychological burnouts encountered by caregivers at healthcare institutions to ensure they perform their duties comfortably, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora has said.

Addressing delegates drawn from the country’s 10 provinces to mark the end of the inaugural week-long Health Sector Wellness Festival, Dr Mombeshora said ensuring the fitness of frontline healthcare workers was critical to sustain the whole health sector.

“Much about wellness has been built on theory. However, this festival gave us a shift into a holistic wellness approach at institutional level and asking the critical question: “Who cares for the caregiver?”

“If our frontline workers are not fit, if they are frail, our health care system will not function. We need to ensure the mental health and wellness of our healthcare workers is protected by combating psychological burnouts,” he said.

Dr Mombeshora directed all public health institutions to start allocating annual budgets for staff wellness activities, have state-of-the-art multipurpose facilities for staff use and start preparing for future festivals with adequate planning.

He encouraged public and private healthcare stakeholders to avoid working in silos, but integrate their efforts by organising events and programmes together. He  expressed immense gratitude to First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, through her philanthropic organisation, the Angel of Hope, for support and providing hi-tech screening facilities.

The festival was organised under the theme “Stronger Together, Healthier Together,” and characterised by sporting activities, lectures and interactive sessions to improve the wellness of participating healthcare givers.

“The presentations made here proved the need to build an unbreakable team spirit across all healthcare institutions. As we look to the future we must break down institutional silos.

“All health institutions should be integrated in the next festival. We will continue partnering with all stakeholders to make sure that our messages on wellness reach all households,” Dr Mombeshora added.

The inaugural festival was organised by the Health Service Commission (HSC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care as part of its strategic mandate under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS2) to build a resilient, motivated healthcare workforce.

HSC Secretary Dr Christopher Pasi praised organisers, stakeholders and participants for showing unity and commitment to a healthier nation.

The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini,  Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, Honourable Discent Bajila, and senior Government officials.