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This paper investigates the impact of the framework and strategies to retain critical health professionals (CHPs) that the Zimbabwean government has put in place, particularly regarding non-financial incentives, in the face of continuing high out-migration. The study investigated the causes of migration of health professionals; the strategies used to retain health professionals, how they are being implemented, monitored and evaluated and their impact, in order to make recommendations to enhance the monitoring, evaluation and management of non-financial incentives for health worker retention. The field survey results showed that Zimbabwe is losing the most experienced CHPs, but even newly qualified staff aspire to migrate to gain experience. The major factor driving out-migration was economic hardship that CHPs face due to the deterioration of the country’s economy. Other factors identified include poor remuneration, unattractive financial incentives and poor working conditions. The retention package offered by the Zimbabwe Health Service Board (ZHSB) appears not to have much impact on the ground. Many interviewees indicated that the package was not attractive and some said they were not aware of it. We suggest that managing health worker incentives calls for the ZHSB to have greater decision making latitude.