Abandoned By Ministry Of Health: Bikita Nurse Seeks Funds For Surgery After She Was Assaulted And Injured By A Patient

A former nurse who was employed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and stationed at Bikita Rural Hospital in Masvingo Province, and is now bedridden, is appealing for financial assistance to undergo urgent back surgery.

Progress Muzuva sustained severe injuries while on duty in 2018 and claims she has since been abandoned by her employer.

Muzuva said her ordeal began in August 2018 when she was asked to accompany a maternity patient in an ambulance from Bikita Rural Hospital to Silveira Mission Hospital around midnight.

During the journey, the patient reportedly became violent, attempted to jump out of the moving ambulance in an apparent suicide attempt, and assaulted both her and the ambulance driver.

Despite the struggle, they managed to complete the journey and handed the patient over to medical staff at Silveira Mission Hospital before returning to their base.

Later that morning, Muzuva began to experience excruciating pain. Her left leg became swollen, and she found it difficult to walk.

She was initially treated at the local clinic and then referred to Silveira Mission Hospital, where an X-ray confirmed her leg was fractured. Over time, she developed pain in her ribs, back, and hand.

Her leg was placed in a cast, but her condition deteriorated, leaving her bedridden due to severe back pain. She has since undergone numerous X-rays, including at private facilities.

Muzuva’s situation worsened when the Ministry of Health reportedly placed her on ordinary sick leave, rather than compensatory sick leave, despite her injuries having been sustained in the line of duty.

An X-ray later revealed a serious back injury, prompting her referral to Claybank Hospital in Gweru. However, district health officials refused her ambulance transport and a referral letter. She was forced to hire a private ambulance and later a kombi, despite being bedridden.

Claybank doctors confirmed the injury and advised her to get an MRI scan in Harare or Bulawayo. After struggling to raise funds, she returned with the scan, and neurosurgeons confirmed her spine was broken and required urgent surgery.

The Ministry again offered no assistance. Her full salary was only paid for two months; in the third month, she received half, and then it stopped entirely. When she requested compensatory sick leave, district HR responded dismissively.

Muzuva’s condition worsened, and she underwent her first spinal operation in Harare in December 2019, after paying part of the cost upfront. Despite this, she did not recover and remained bedridden.

In 2021, she was told the Ministry planned to retire her. She contested this, asking instead for compensation and medical reimbursement. The Ministry did not respond.

She made numerous follow-ups, including with Masvingo Provincial HR staff, who were unhelpful. Her pain worsened in 2023, and she underwent a second operation for spinal fixation (decompressive laminectomy with posterior instrumentation) in January.

However, lacking funds for post-operative care and physiotherapy, she remains in pain.

In 2024, she discovered a leaked letter stating she had been retired in January 2022, without her knowledge.

Although her relatives were told otherwise at head office, she was eventually pressured to write a retirement request in June 2024. A confirmation letter followed, but it incorrectly dated her retirement as January 2022.

Repeated efforts to see the Permanent Secretary or the Minister of Health were unsuccessful and a scheduled appointment with the latter in March 2025 was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

Muzuva now owes US$11,200 for medical bills and borrowed funds and is still seeking financial assistance to access further treatment and care for her family.

She is now appealing for public assistance to raise funds for critical back surgery, which doctors say is necessary to restore her mobility and alleviate the chronic pain.

Those willing or able to assist can contact Muzuva on her cellphone number (+263) 0773940105.

Ecocash Number: 0773940105 (Progress Muzuva).

Bank details.
POSB: USD Account: 500004845938; ZIG Account: 201310005724.