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Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
INGUTSHENI Central Hospital is set for a major transformation into a centre of excellence for mental health services, as Government intensifies efforts to modernise the country’s health delivery system in line with national development priorities.
This was said by President Mnangagwa while addressing delegates at a high-profile fundraising luncheon held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre on Friday, which attracted a cross-section of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia and the health fraternity.
The fundraiser was organised by the office of the Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, together with the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
President Mnangagwa said the institution, which has served Zimbabweans for more than a century, remains central to the country’s mental health delivery system despite its historical challenges.
“Ingutsheni Central Hospital, one of the most important mental health institutions in our country, has served generations of Zimbabweans. For over a century, this institution has remained a place of hope and healing for many of our citizens who require specialised mental health services,” he said.
He acknowledged the hospital’s complex past, noting that, like many institutions established during the colonial era, it bears a legacy shaped by historical colonial inequalities.
“However, like many institutions established during the colonial era, Ingutsheni Central Hospital has its own history. Alongside the difficulties of segregated care, the institution was occasionally misused by the settler colonial administration.
“Despite the injustices associated with the racist colonial regime, Ingutsheni Central Hospital has continued to provide essential services to our nation,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President noted that although renovations have been carried out over the years, the institution still requires significant investment to upgrade its infrastructure and improve service delivery.
“Over the years, various forms of construction and renovation have been undertaken. Notwithstanding this, the Hospital remains in need of resources for maintenance and upgrade of its infrastructure and amenities,” he said.
President Mnangagwa highlighted the growing burden of mental health conditions in Zimbabwe, driven in part by socio-economic pressures and the rise in drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.
“Mental health challenges affect societies worldwide, and Zimbabwe is no exception. Shifting social and economic pressures have heightened the susceptibility of many individuals to mental health conditions,” he said.
“One of the most significant factors in this challenge is the increasing problem of drug and substance abuse, especially among our youth, which has become a major public health issue in our country.”
The President added that a significant proportion of patients admitted to acute psychiatric wards at Ingutsheni Hospital are battling drug and substance-related conditions.
“I am informed that a considerable number of admissions to acute psychiatric wards at Ingutsheni Central Hospital are related to alcohol and drug-related conditions,” he said.
In response, the President said Government had established the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse to spearhead a coordinated national response.
“The Committee is implementing a Whole-of-Government and Society Approach aimed at prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and re-integration of those affected by drug and substance abuse,” he said.
Within this framework, the Second Republic is prioritising the development and strengthening of treatment and rehabilitation centres across the country, including the upgrading of Ingutsheni.
“The transformation of Ingutsheni Central Hospital requires a comprehensive programme of refurbishment, modernisation and capacity-building. We aim to remodel the facility to become a centre of excellence for mental health services in Zimbabwe, in line with our National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
He called on all sectors of society to support the initiative, emphasising the need for collective action to revitalise the institution.
“To undertake the required overhaul, Government is appealing for the participation, support and generosity of all sectors of our society. I, therefore, invite captains of industry and commerce, corporate leaders, development partners and well-wishers to come on board and collaborate with Government in the noble cause to revitalise Ingutsheni Central Hospital,” he said.
The planned transformation is expected to significantly enhance Zimbabwe’s mental health care capacity while positioning the country to better respond to emerging public health challenges.
During the fundraising over US$2 million was raised with the President leading the pack with a US$1 million donation together with farm inputs and equipment and also committed to servicing all the institution’s vehicles that needed repair.
Other notable donations included VP Mohadi (US$100 000), Mr Kudakwashe Tagwireyi (US$350 000), Mr Paul Tungwarara (US$250 000), Mr Obey Chimuka (US$150 000), Zanu-PF (US$100 000), Ministry of Health and Child Care (US$10 000), Ministry of Defence (US$5 000), Deputy Minister of Defence Brigadier General (Rtd) Levi Mayihlome (US$500), Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Albert Mavunga (1 000kgs of nutritious rice and an Artificial Intelligence Specialised Chatbot for the hospital), Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini (500kg beef, ZITF Company (US$10 000), Cde Brain Samuriwo (US$10 000), University of Zimbabwe (US$15 000), National University of Science and Technology (US$15 000), Great Zimbabwe University (US$15 000) and AMAFILIMU (10 laptops), to mention but a few.
Bongani Ndlovu