Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
AUTHORITIES have uncovered widespread regulatory gaps at rehabilitation centres in Bulawayo following provincial inspections as the country intensified the fight against drug and substance abuse, resulting in the arrest of 27 suspects.
The inspections, conducted by the Provincial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, have revealed that several rehabilitation facilities were operating without full regulatory approval from the Health Professions Authority (HPA), while some were running from premises not authorised by local authorities for rehabilitation services.
The findings are contained in a provincial drug and substance abuse response report presented by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Judith Ncube, on Monday.
She said the Provincial Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse continues to implement national strategies to prevent drug and substance abuse through coordinated prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and reintegration programmes, in collaboration with the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse, the Health Professions Authority, and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
“As part of its oversight mandate, the committee carried out monitoring and compliance inspections at nine rehabilitation facilities across the province, comprising six operational rehabilitation centres and three proposed facilities under development,” said Minister Ncube.
She noted that the inspections have established that rehabilitation services are expanding across Bulawayo, with centres offering counselling, psychosocial support, medical assessments and structured rehabilitation programmes designed to assist clients in recovery and successful reintegration into society. However, the inspections have exposed several shortcomings.
“Key observations included gaps in compliance with Health Professions Authority registration requirements, with several facilities operating without full regulatory approval.
“It was also noted that some facilities were operating from premises not authorised for rehabilitation services by local authorities,” said Minister Ncube.
She said inspectors also found that most rehabilitation facilities lacked adequate emergency preparedness systems.
“Deficiencies were further observed in emergency preparedness systems, with most facilities lacking essential emergency response equipment such as emergency trolleys, oxygen cylinders and fire extinguishers,” said the minister.
Despite the compliance challenges, authorities have commended rehabilitation centres for incorporating vocational training programmes into their recovery initiatives.
These include gardening, agriculture, entrepreneurship and other skills development programmes aimed at equipping recovering clients with sustainable livelihoods and reducing the risk of relapse.
Facilities were urged to regularise their operations by complying with HPA registration requirements and securing the necessary approvals from local authorities to ensure the delivery of safe, quality and effective rehabilitation services.
The province also recorded significant progress in enforcement and prevention efforts during the reporting period.
A total of 27 people were arrested for drug-related offences, with 19 being fined by the police, while 12 offenders were successfully prosecuted and convicted through the courts.
Meanwhile, awareness campaigns have reached 63,275 people across Bulawayo Province, with the majority of beneficiaries being pupils in primary and secondary schools as authorities intensified early prevention efforts aimed at discouraging young people from experimenting with drugs.
Minister Ncube also noted an increase in the number of children receiving psychosocial support and counselling services.
“In total, 239 individuals accessed counselling and psychosocial support during the reporting period, while 125 people were admitted into rehabilitation programmes for treatment, recovery and reintegration,” she said.
The Provincial Committee said it would continue strengthening enforcement, coordination and service delivery in line with the national drug and substance abuse response framework.
Minister Ncube added that priority would be placed on improving regulatory compliance among rehabilitation facilities, expanding access to quality treatment services and reinforcing community-based prevention, treatment and reintegration programmes across Bulawayo Province as authorities seek to curb the growing drug and substance abuse menace.
