HomeOld_PostsNurses warned against misconduct

Nurses warned against misconduct

Published on

NURSES from both public and private health services should desist from being involved in cases of misconduct as they risk losing their practising certificates if convicted, the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has said.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Zim Afro Medical Health Expo, NCZ registrar, Muriel Mathobi said nurses should work within their scope of practice to ensure quality health service delivery in the country.
She said it is illegal to employ a nurse who is not registered and without a practising certificate as the situation might put patients at risk of health malpractices.
“We urge the public not to remain passive against any form of abuse by our nurses,” Mathobi said.
“They must report all cases of misconduct to the NCZ so that we take appropriate action against any perpetrators.”
She said nurses should continuously invest their time in research so that they move on in accordance with modern practices that might help to reduce cases of misconduct.
“In order for nurses and midwives to maintain their professional competences it is important that they are continuously updating their practices,” said Mathobi.
“It is in light of this, that the Nurses Council have decided to introduce mandatory 12 credit hours of continuing education per year as a requisite for renewal of their annual practising certificates.”
Last year at least one person died and another had her uterus perforated due to incompetence by a medical doctor.
Thirty-eight other doctors were found guilty of incompetence, unethical conduct and unprofessionalism by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (MDPCZ).
Meanwhile, Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) spokesperson, Richard Rukwata said his organisation would intensify its campaign on clamping down illegal dealing of medical drugs in the country.
He said buying medicines on the streets was exposing patients to high risks of taking wrong medication or drugs that would have expired.
“MCAZ is much concerned about increasing availability of medicines on the streets and we are going to intensify our campaign against such practices in partnership with the police so that all perpetrators are brought to book,” said Rukwata.
“Our people have began trusting to buy medicines on the streets especially contraceptive pills not knowing that all medicines are dangerous and poisonous that need guidance from qualified and professional personnel on how to take them.
“We have excellent health services in the country and people should seek medication from recommended institutions.”
In his address at the official opening of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said the Health Services Act, the Medical Services Act, the Public Health Act and such other legislation would be urgently amended to reflect the provision of health services to the people.
And with the return of Dr David Parirenyatwa at the helm of the Ministry of health and Child Care, expectations are high that the health sector will be revamped for the benefit of the people.
The minister has been touring major health institutions in the country to assess their challenges and map the way forward in resuscitating them.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

Musician pens seven books

By Fidelis Manyange CHITUNGWIZA-based musician, known in music circles as Gaban Kufemamoto Chebani Chedondo Chegwenzi...

More like this

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading