Online Reporter
THE Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, is officiating at the Bulawayo Metropolitan province’s drug and substance abuse luncheon.
The event is being attended by various stakeholders from the medical, social services, and security organs.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube will give welcome remarks at the luncheon before Minister Ndlovu delivers her keynote address.
Ingutsheni Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nemache Mawere, will also present a paper on the subject.
Zimpapers Senior Reporter, Sikhumbuzo Moyo, is attending the event and will give us live updates.
WHO sounds alarm on substance abuse in Africa
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.
One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Drug use also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society.
“The evolution of the complex global illicit drug problem is clearly driven by a range of factors. Sociodemographic trends are influential such as the population’s gender, age and the rate of urbanization,” says WHO.
It says cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in the African region and the highest prevalence and increase in use is being reported in West and Central Africa with rates between 5.2 and 13.5 percent.
The World body said Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) such as “ecstasy” and methamphetamine now rank as Africa’s second most widely abused drug type.
Injecting drugs carries a high risk of infection with bloodborne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and the sharing of contaminated needles and syringes is an important mode of transmission for those viruses, said WHO.
According to the organisation, harmful use of alcohol results in 3.3 million deaths each year and on average every person in the world aged 15 years or older drinks 6.2 litres of pure alcohol per year.
Doctors, nurses among patients at Ingutsheni Hospital due to substance abuse
A senior medical officer has revealed that doctors and nurses make up part of the patients admitted at Ingutsheni Hospital as a result of the drug and substance abuse menace.
United Bulawayo Hospitals chief medical officer Dr William Busumani revealed this during the Bulawayo Metropolitan province’s drug and substance abuse resource mobilisation luncheon.
“Honourable Minister, I want to inform you that we have our doctors and nurses who are admitted at Ingutsheni Hospital because of the drug scourge. We have noted that these professionals become addicted to drugs while still at college before becoming professionals,” said Dr Busumani.
Bulawayo seeks $280,000 to combat substance abuse
BULAWAYO Metropolitan province needs to raise US$280 000 by August 31 which will go towards fighting the menace of drugs and substance abuse.
In her welcome remarks at the provincial resource mobilisation luncheon, Bulawayo Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said US$30 000 from the provincial figure will be channeled to the national basket.
“I therefore appeal to the corporate world and other stakeholders to support this noble cause through financial and material support as this problem affects all facets of life,” said Minister Ncube.
Minister leads by example, pledges support for substance abuse initiative
THE Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, has pledged US$1 000 towards the Bulawayo province’s drug and substance abuse campaign.
The metropolitan province needs to raise US$280 000 by August 31st.
Minister Ndlovu made the pledge soon after delivering the Presidential speech at the launch of the Bulawayo Metropolitan province’s resource mobilisation luncheon being held at a local hotel.
Other organisations also pledged full support to the cause, with the National Railways of Zimbabwe pledging to provide 20 mattresses as well as the same number of sheets and blankets to Ingutsheni Hospital, one of the 67 rehabilitation centers identified nationwide.
Ingutsheni Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr Nemache Mawere said the hospital’s total needs amount to US$185 116.
