Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HWANGE District in Matabeleland North Province is set to establish a drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centre, while plans are also underway to construct a multi-purpose stadium as part of efforts to promote health and wellness in the district.
The proposed rehabilitation centre will be established through the refurbishment of 5 Miles Hospital and will provide counselling, detoxification, rehabilitation, aftercare and skills training for people affected by drug and substance abuse.
Hwange Colliery Company Holdings production manager Engineer Benedict Jirah, who represented the company’s chief executive officer, Mr William Gambiza, at the inaugural Hwange District Health and Wellness Day held at Thomas Coulter Primary School on Friday, said the district could no longer afford to ignore the growing challenge of substance abuse.
He said stakeholders should work together to mobilise resources towards the establishment of the facility.
“In response to the President’s directive to establish treatment and rehabilitation facilities in every province and high-burden district, Hwange District proposes to construct a Drugs and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centre through refurbishing the 5 Miles Hospital,” Eng Gambiza said.
“This centre will offer counselling, detoxification, rehabilitation, aftercare and skills training. But we cannot do it alone. I therefore call upon everyone here present to work together and pull resources towards this cause.”
Eng Gambiza said a healthy community was critical to the district’s economic development and urged stakeholders to take ownership of initiatives aimed at improving residents’ wellbeing.
“A sick community cannot build a prosperous district. A healed community can,” he said.
Eng Gambiza also revealed that an application had already been submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development for land to construct a Hwange District Multi-Purpose Stadium.
The proposed facility will cater for soccer, volleyball, basketball, tennis, athletics, swimming and netball, as well as indoor sporting disciplines such as table tennis, darts, pool and chess.
Eng Gambiza said the stadium would provide young people with healthy recreational opportunities while helping to combat drug and substance abuse.
“Why a stadium? Because sport keeps our youth healthy, off drugs and out of trouble. Because tournaments bring tourism dollars. Because a fit body houses a fit mind,” he said.
He challenged Hwange Rural District Council, the business community and development partners to begin mobilising resources so construction could commence once the land had been allocated.
Eng Gambiza said the projects formed part of broader efforts to strengthen collaboration among health institutions, mining companies, Government departments, churches, schools, civil society organisations and communities.
He said health promotion could not be left solely to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, calling for stronger partnerships at district level.
“This day is not just a gathering. It is a statement. A statement that as Hwange District, we choose prevention over cure, unity over division, and wellness over sickness,” he said.
Eng Gambiza also proposed the establishment of a District Health and Wellness Forum that would meet quarterly to assess progress and coordinate health and wellness programmes.
The inaugural event, held under the theme “My Health, My Responsibility”, brought together health workers, mining companies, Government departments, churches, schools, security services, non-governmental organisations and community members.
Eng Gambiza said the initiative aligned with Government’s broader health and development agenda, particularly the promotion of primary healthcare, prevention of non-communicable diseases and the fight against substance abuse.
He urged residents to take greater responsibility for their health through healthy eating, regular exercise, early screening and rejecting drug abuse.
“To the community: Your health is your responsibility. Eat well, exercise, screen early, say no to drugs and support one another,” he said.
The event also featured several health and wellness activities aimed at encouraging residents to adopt healthier lifestyles and strengthening community participation in disease prevention.
