GOVT SEEKS HOSPITAL BEDS FOR 63 REHABILITATION CENTRES

Talent Gore

THE Government is appealing for donation of hospital admission beds to be used in 63 public drug rehabilitation centres, which have since been identified.

Zimbabwe has been struggling to offer proper drug rehabilitation services with the majority of patients currently being admitted to psychiatric units in public health institutions.

This has inspired the decision to have public rehabilitation centres across the country.

In 2022, data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care indicated that 75 percent to 85 percent of bed occupancy in mental health institutions was due to substance use.

Local Government and Public Works Secretary, Dr John Basera, said most of the availed rehabilitation institutions are in dire need of hospital admission beds.

“The Resource Mobilisation Pillar in the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse is mandated to seek, coordinate and pool resources together for all seven pillars so as to enable them to manage the menace of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Sixty three facilities for drug rehabilitation and livelihood centres have been identified countrywide.

“The National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse is kindly appealing to all private and government institutions to donate beds which are not in use at their facilities.”