By Virginia Njovo
Ngomahuru psychiatric hospital is running an anti-drug campaign in schools and churches in solidarity with government, as the number of drug-related mental patients continues to rise.
Ngomahuru Information and Public Relations Gift Muzondo said they were moving in schools and churches raising awareness on drug abuse so as to minimize the rate of drug addicts being admitted at the hospital.
“70 to 75 percent of admitted patients at Ngomahuru are drug abusers, we have opted as hospital to partner with other organisations in the anti-drug abuse campaign to avoid the surge.
“By going to church services we are trying to educate parents so that they will be aware of the apparatus used by drug addicts when taking drugs so that they will be aware if their children or child is taking drugs and seek for medical assistance on time,” said Muzondo.
He added that they had already visited surrounding schools to educate pupils about the implications of drug abuse, which can cause brain cell damage which is irreversible
“We have seen it crucial in engaging school children where majority of victims are young men and girls, if we educate them on the implications of drug intake which include that once brain cells are damaged they cannot be restored rather a patient will be taking supplements for their lifetime,” added Muzondo.
He said majority of patients at the rehabilitation centre were not paying any fees hence they were struggling for years to meet the basics to their patients and they recently introduced a private ward for those who may afford the fees as a fundraising strategy.
Ngomahuru, the second largest psychiatric hospital in Zimbabwe, after Ingutsheni Central Hospital, was opened in 1926 and is located about 52 km from Masvingo town, a few kilometres from the Masvingo – Beitbridge Highway.
