The Ministry of Health has eliminated the requirement of passing O’ Level Mathematics for aspiring nurses, a regulation enforced over a decade ago.
Previously, individuals seeking nurse training in Zimbabwe had to attain a minimum of a grade C in Mathematics, English, and Science. However, the latest call for trainee nurses by the Ministry of Health no longer mentions the Mathematics prerequisite.
According to a recent newspaper advertisement from the ministry, applicants for the current intake must have a minimum of 5 O’ Level subjects, including passes in English Language and a science subject, and three others, excluding practical subjects such as fashion and fabrics, metalwork, graphic art, and woodwork, at Grade C or better. Additionally, applicants must be between 17 and 30 years old by May 13, 2024.
However, this change has raised concerns among doctors who worry about the potential lowering of standards and its implications for patient care.
“This lowering of standards appears to be a targeted move to get people who don’t qualify to join the nursing profession, God knows for what reason,” commented one doctor anonymously. They highlighted the importance of mathematical skills in nursing and expressed concern that underqualified individuals may pose risks to patients.
The government’s recent ban on indefinite strikes by medical professionals and its scrutiny of their patriotism add to the apprehension regarding the motives behind the revised recruitment criteria.
There are concerns that the new criteria could lead to underqualified individuals, potentially affiliated with the ruling Zanu PF party, being selected for nurse training, reminiscent of tactics used in army recruitment.
Furthermore, hospitals have criticized the centralization of nurse recruitment in Harare and the abandonment of online application processes since 2015. The recruitment process bypasses senior medical personnel or chief medical officers of institutions, leading to fears of compromised standards in selecting trainee nurses.
