Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has announced that the government is considering approving new employment permits in the upcoming financial year, with priority expected to go to the health sector as authorities move to address the shortage of nurses and other medical personnel.
Dr Mwinyi made the remarks on May 12, 2026, during the opening of the First Nurses Scientific Conference held as part of celebrations marking International Nurses Day at Verde Hotel in the Urban West Region.
The President acknowledged the pressure facing nurses due to staff shortages, but urged them to remain committed to their duties and continue providing services with professionalism and compassion.
“We recognise the challenges facing nurses, especially the shortage of personnel, but their contribution remains vital in strengthening healthcare services,” he said.
Dr Mwinyi said the nursing profession has undergone significant transformation over the 62 years since the Zanzibar Revolution, with training advancing from basic certificate programmes to specialised professional levels in response to changing healthcare demands and technological developments.
He said the government would continue working through the Ministry of Health to address staffing gaps and other challenges affecting the health sector, particularly the shortage of nurses and doctors.
The President also called on development partners to support government efforts aimed at improving healthcare delivery through investment in training, modern equipment and health infrastructure.
He noted that the ongoing construction of the new Mnazi Mmoja Hospital and the Binguni Cancer Hospital would be accompanied by the installation of modern medical equipment to meet the standards of contemporary healthcare services.
Dr Mwinyi further said the government is reviewing professional training systems to ensure health workers across all cadres receive quality and continuous training opportunities that match evolving sector needs.
He described the scientific conference as an important platform for nurses to exchange knowledge, strengthen professional skills and promote research that could improve healthcare services in Zanzibar.
As he concluded his speech, Dr Mwinyi urged nurses to continue serving patients with integrity, discipline and respect while observing professional ethics.
This year’s International Nurses Day was commemorated under the theme: “Empowering Nurses, Saving Lives.”
