Andrew
Evelyn Matimbire
More than 250 patients have been admitted to Sally Mugabe Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for substance use disorders linked to the abuse of illicit brews and narcotics such as crystal methamphetamine (mutoriro) this year.
Officials at the two major hospitals say the institutions’ psychiatric wards are being overwhelmed by patients suffering from disorders linked to illicit substance abuse.
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals public relations officer Mr Linos Dhire said the psychiatric unit was overcrowded.
“We can confirm that there is a significant rise in mental health cases linked to substance and alcohol abuse,” he said.
“Most of the patients being admitted to our Mental Health Hospital (Annex) are youths, both male and female.”
He said the number of patients admitted for drug abuse had breached the institution’s carrying capacity.
“For male patients, numbers range between 50 and 60 in a 34-bed ward, whilst for females, numbers exceed 20 patients in a ward with a bed capacity of 14.”
Sally Mugabe Hospital chief executive officer Dr Christopher Pasi said close to 200 drug and alcohol abusers had been admitted to the institution.
“In 2021, 136 patients were admitted with substance use disorders, 91 percent being males and 9 percent females,” he said.
“From January to November 2022, 183 have been admitted with the same diagnosis.
“About 85 percent are males and 15 percent females.”
He said most of the patients were between 17 and 45 years of age, while the youngest was aged 14.
Last year, President Mnangagwa set up a high-level taskforce to find solutions to rampant drug abuse.
The committee has since drawn up a battery of measures to address the scourge.
Online Reporter