Online desk |  1 year ago | local

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro says government is strengthening its covid-19 outreach vaccination teams, to ensure more people are inoculated.

Addressing the media after receiving 1 million doses of Sinovac vaccines at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Tuesday, Dr Mangwiro urged citizens to organize groups and approach health practitioners administering vaccines, to inoculate them in their respective areas.

The vaccines received are part of the 12 million doses purchased by treasury in an effort to ensure that citizens are protected and the country reaches a 10 million-herd immunity

Meanwhile the ministry has raised concern over the loss of over 1 000 nurses during the first six months of this year which is twice the figure for the whole of last year.

Giving oral evidence on the Ministry’s 2021 first quarter budget performance report, before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care yesterday, the Ministry's Human Resources Director Edison Mundenda said, the high staff turnover has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, as nurses seek opportunities in the private sector.

 Mundenda assured Parliament that efforts are underway to hire more health workers through the establishment of training initiatives, creation of competitive income rates and a review of their cushioning allowances.