HSC EXHIBITS AT 2022 ZITF

HSB EXHIBITS AT 2022 ZITF
The Health Service Board exhibited at the 2022 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
The 62nd edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair ran under the theme, “Rethink, Reimagine, Re-invent value chains for economic development”. The HSB exhibited under the sub-theme ‘Consolidating innovative solutions in health for economic growth’.
The Board led by the Chairman Dr Paulinus Sikosana attended the 2022 International Business Conference (IBC) which ran concurrently with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. Vice President of Zimbabwe and Minister of Health and Child Care Retired General Dr CDGN Chiwenga was the Guest of honour at the International Business Conference.
The Health Service Board structured its exhibition in form of compartments with information being beamed on well mounted television sets. The HSB was represented by key departments that include Human Resources, Conditions of Service and Industrial Relations, Performance Improvement and Development and Discipline Department.
Additionally, there was a section of health workers and an Observation room where nurses were offering Covid-19 tests, HIV Testing and Counselling, Blood Pressure (BP) monitoring and Blood Sugar Testing. Health workers shared through the exhibition, some of the challenges they were facing which include working directly with Covid 19 patients putting their lives at risk due high risk of exposure. Other challenges included lack of psychosocial support, economic challenges due to incurred diagnostic and treatment costs, stigma and discrimination both at work and in the community. Some workers in the initial stages had inadequate testing capacity for COVID-19 and shortage of personal protective equipment.
In concluding their exhibition, they highlighted that, despite all these challenges the health workers continued giving their best and the government also introduced measures to improve conditions of service for the health workers which include The RBM performance appraisal system for all provinces so that it motivates high performers, Incentive schemes, retention strategies, rural allowance, Covid 19 allowance and provision of accommodation.