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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Government has been urged to seriously consider unfreezing key posts in sectors like health to address staff shortages, Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube has said.

In his welcome remarks during First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa’s tour of Kwekwe District Hospital on Tuesday, Minister Ncube said the province’s health sector was short-staffed, hence the need by relevant authorities to revisit the freezing of posts.

He said state-of-the-art equipment given to most hospitals and clinics in the province was being underutilised, as there were no trained personnel to operate it.

“The new medical equipment procured by Government should see our hospitals offering better services that are much closer to the people,” said Minister Ncube.

“However, some of the equipment is not being fully utilised as vacant posts have been frozen.” Minister Ncube said the withdrawal of donor funding, which complimented Government efforts in the sector had an adverse impact, as most medical officers were leaving the country for greener pastures.

“Generally there is need to increase staff in hospitals because they are not coping,” he said. Minister Ncube said there was need for rehabilitation and expansion of most hospital structures, as well as replacing old furniture.

“With regards to infrastructure, most of the hospitals are old, for instance Kwekwe District Hospital needs rehabilitation and expansion, especially the casualty, theatre, kitchen, laundry departments and the driveway, so that there is smooth movement of vehicles, especially ambulances.  There is need for the replacement of furniture and construction of accommodation for critical staff.”

Minister Ncube said two clinics would be commissioned in the province soon, as part of the 100-day rapid results initiative programme.