Zambia Union of Nurses and Midwives Organization (ZUNMO) has backed the Civil Service Commission’s decision to extend the verification period for applicants under the recruitment of 2,600 health workers from September 11 to October 9, 2026.
ZUNMO President Fray Michelo said the extension will give applicants more time to verify their details and address financial and logistical challenges associated with travelling to Provincial and District Health Offices.
“The extension responds to concerns regarding the limited time initially provided and the financial and logistical challenges faced by applicants travelling to Provincial and District Health Offices,” Mr. Michelo said.
He also welcomed the Commission’s clarification that verification is not mandatory and that applicants who do not verify their details will not be disadvantaged, provided their applications were properly submitted.
“ZUNMO considers this clarification important in protecting applicants from unnecessary costs and anxiety during the recruitment process,” he added.
Mr. Michelo stated that the union was also encouraged by the ongoing validation of applications for volunteer health workers across the country, describing the exercise as an important step towards implementing the Presidential directive and recognizing the contribution of volunteers to the health sector.
He, however, called on Government to establish a comprehensive and verifiable national framework for prioritizing volunteer health workers.
“Such a framework should ensure that all eligible and deserving volunteers are given a fair opportunity to be considered, regardless of their province, district, place of volunteering or whether they attended a particular public or campaign event,” Mr. Michelo stated.
Mr. Michelo further maintained that year of graduation should be among the objective factors considered when prioritizing qualified nurses and midwives for employment, with those who completed training earlier given reasonable priority, subject to qualifications, registration, licensing and other recruitment requirements.
He also urged Government to ensure that volunteerism in the health sector remains temporary, arguing that qualified nurses and midwives should not provide professional services indefinitely without formal employment and remuneration.
Mr. Michelo said ZUNMO remains committed to engaging Government, the Civil Service Commission and the Ministry of Health in developing a fair, transparent and sustainable health-worker recruitment system.
