Higherlife Foundation (HLF) today said it had received 365 applications from doctors around the country in response to its recently announced Training Fellowship for junior and senior doctors, as well as consultants.
Speaking at a Press conference at the Foundation’s Alpes Road Offices in Harare, HLF CEO Dr Kennedy Mubaiwa said they were happy with the response by doctors to the Fellowship offer.
“The response was so overwhelming to the extent that we had to move the deadline (for submission of applications) from 5pm to 10pm,” said Dr Mubaiwa.
He added that they were now evaluating all applications after which they will inform successful applicants by end of day Friday.
The HLF CEO also announced a special “once-off allowance”over the festive season for doctors who applied for the Fellowship.
“As we head into the festive season, we all know that unfortunately it is a season characterized by a high likelihood of injuries and fatalities, particularly due to road accidents.
“In light of that, we are appealing to approved applicants of this Fellowship – that is anyone who applied for and is accepted to the Fellowship – to commit to covering our hospitals during this critical time, irrespective of the ongoing labour dispute (between doctors and their employer) which we respect,” Dr Mubaiwa said.
He said any Fellowship holder who steps forward and is willing to provide health cover during the period (from December 9, 2019 to January 9, 2020) will be paid an additional Z$5 000 from Fellowship fund, to give a total of Z$10 000 in the month of December only.
Dr Mubaiwa reiterated that the Fellowship comes into effect as soon as a doctor reports for work, but that it would fall away if they do not report for work by January 2, 2020.
Higherlife Foundation, using the funds extended from the Masiyiwa Family, last week announced a $100 million training Fellowship for doctors.
Dr Mubaiwa said the Fellowship would, among other things, assist doctors in completing rotations within public health institutions “while providing the much needed health services to the citizens of Zimbabwe”.
He also announced an arrangement with Vaya Mobility, where Vaya would extend its free transport service to nurses by a further 6 months for an estimated value of about Z$$900 per month, per nurse.
He also said doctors on the Fellowship, and who will be on call with effect from Monday next week, can also use Vaya services at an estimated cost of Z$1 500 per month, per doctor, over a 6-month period.
