Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) on Friday exposed illegal forex dealings being carried out by nurses at council clinics.  Apparently, a handful of nurses at council clinics have reportedly turned into “illegal money changers” as they prioritize patients with USD compared to those with bond notes or RTGS dollars.

This revelation came out during a Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) meeting, with residents accusing nurses at Highfields Polyclinic of engaging in forex deals. A woman present at the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity said:

“Our nurses are not receipting United States dollars we give them.

“Instead they are taking the money and use their eco cash to pay for us and give us receipt written in bond note (ZWL)”,  she said.

In addition to that, residents further lamented how even after paying the consultation fees, they are not given medication but instead instructed to purchase the same medication at private pharm

CHRA residents revealed that it is surprising how nurses tell patients that there is no medication at clinics yet by night, they will be bustling selling narcotic drugs and medication outside the premises of the clinic in United States Dollars.

“Despite the fact that there is no medication at the clinic nurses are selling medical drugs and medication in United States Dollars outside the clinic”.

“It is disappointing that the health personnel are selling drugs while we are told that there is no medication at the clinics, these drugs are sold at night after working hours”,  said another resident.

Earlier this week nurses returned to work after being on strike since June the 18th. The Health Minister stated that the ministry is currently working on restructuring the health sector.