By Staff Reporter
MASVINGO – Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital, one of the biggest mental health institutions in the country recently introduced a private ward, which will see patients using its facilities paying US$350 per month.
The hospital Matron Thomas Hwami confirmed the development and said those with mental patients whom they feel need special care could admit them into the facility.
“We now have a private ward at Ngomahuru; private in the sense that those patients who can pay can get services that are different from others.
“Those who afford will pay but the amount does not include medication and the doctors’ services, it is just for services offered in the ward and when they consult a doctor they then have to talk with him or her for whatever payment they can agree on.
“The amount covers food and bedding among other services offered in the ward except the medication, professionals (doctors’) charges and medication,” said Hwami.
He said those who wanted to get more information regarding the private ward could get in touch with Dr Nyoni on 0774892749 and Dr Maramba on 0777249747.
The hospital, which was opened in 1926 is located about 52 km from Masvingo Town, a few kilometres from the Masvingo – Beitbridge Highway.
The hospital has been struggling to offer basics to its inmates and has been relying on handouts from different organizations who donate food, clothes, sanitary wear among other things.
There were security concerns as well at the institution as in 2022 some inmates escaped and one of them was mauled by a crocodile while trying to cross Tugwi River to Chivi.
