At the 44th Zimbabwe Occupational Health Nurses Association (ZOHNA) Conference held at Village Lodge in Gweru this morning, ZOHNA President Victor Marowa emphasized the critical role of collaboration and synergies in advancing the field of occupational health nursing.
Under the theme “Promoting a Healthy and Productive Workplace Culture through Synergies and Innovation in Research,” President Marowa highlighted the need for operational health practitioners to foster a culture of cooperation and research to enhance their profession.
“Our profession grows because of collaboration, synergy, and research,” he stated. “We want to foster that culture so that we grow our profession as occupational health nurses.”
Marowa reflected on the essential role occupational health nurses have played, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, likening them to firefighters on the front lines, safeguarding the well-being of workers. He noted that the era of siloed interventions and directive approaches is over, stressing that the future of occupational health demands strong partnerships and integrated solutions.
“We must bridge the gap between clinical expertise and practical implementation by forging partnerships with employers, researchers, strategic partners, and policymakers,” Marowa said. “This approach is essential to designing holistic solutions that address the diverse needs of today’s workforce.”
He also urged health practitioners to embrace groundbreaking technology, such as wearable devices for monitoring, and stressed the importance of research-driven practice.
“Research is the bedrock upon which we build our interventions,” Marowa said. “Robust research informs our understanding of occupational hazards, mental health concerns, and helps us develop effective disease prevention strategies.”
The two-day conference started today and ends tomorrow. Established in 1980, ZOHNA continues to be the leading professional organization for nurses involved in occupational health and safety practice in the country.
