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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT is in the process of transforming Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital’s isolation facility which was the provincial Covid-19 isolation facility into a drugs rehabilitation centre.
Once completed, the programme will cascade down to all districts in the province as Government scales up the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
While presenting a post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said the move was part of the national strategy to address the growing problem of drug abuse and addiction in the country.
“Going forward, Cabinet agreed on certain measures to strengthen the Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Programme and one of them is for idle provincial Covid-19 isolation facilities to be converted into multi-sectoral drug rehabilitation centres,” said Dr Muswere.
Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital will offer various services and programmes to help drug users recover and reintegrate into society.
Government hopes the initiative will reduce the social and economic impacts of drug-related issues in the country.
In an interview with The Manica Post, Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga said all the isolation centres across the province are readily available for use to rehabilitate drug and substance abusers as they were refurbished and equipped during the Covid-19 era.
“In the province, we have major isolation centres which were refurbished and fully equipped during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are readily available for drug rehabilitation services.
“These are Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Mutare Infectious Diseases Hospital, Nyanga District Hospital and Chipinge District Hospital which all have adequate isolation facilities. However, every district has reserved isolation centres at all hospitals,” said Dr Mukuzunga.
Repurposing the various isolation centres will help address the problem of drug addiction in the country.
During the post-Cabinet briefing, Dr Muswere also highlighted that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has established a Drugs and Narcotics Unit at Forbes Border Post which is meant to curtail the inflow of drugs into the country.
Other units were established at Beitbridge, Victoria Falls and Chirundu Border Posts. “These posts at points of entry are meant to curtail the inflow of drugs. Inland posts have also been established at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls airports.
“New technologies like drones are also being used to monitor the country’s borders in addition to the traditional surveillance methods in order to reduce smuggling and trafficking of drugs.
“Raids and operations against drug suppliers, dealers and peddlers are regularly conducted, and a total of 5 367 offenders were arrested during the period 7th July to 23rd September, 2023.
“A total of 81 bases, where drug users and peddlers converge to sell and consume drugs, were destroyed during the period under review,” he said.
In an interview, Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo said they are leaving no stone unturned in their fight against drug abuse in the province.
He said the anti-drug campaign is achieving positive results, adding that they are arresting more drug offenders every day.
Inspector Muzondo said they are committed to combating drug addiction and trafficking, and that they are focusing on the sources of drugs in the province.
“The campaign against drugs has been successful, and the number of arrests continue rising every day as we remain dedicated to fight drug abuse.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that we fight against the drugs menace, especially targeting those dealing and smuggling drugs into the country,” said Inspector Muzondo.
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