adminChronicle Correspondent
A total of 44 nurses graduated yesterday at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo after completing the Zimbabwe Nurses Council Psychiatric general certificate. Speaking at the graduation ceremony the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Gerald Gwinji, who was guest of honour, said mental health was an important aspect of health.
“It is important for us to take mental health seriously because it affects our productivity and our economy. With an increasing human resource base with skills in mental health we plan to resuscitate and establish treatment and rehabilitation centres for drugs and alcohol abuse.
“We will also work on increasing community based mental health care programmes and to review and strengthen the regulatory framework for health services,” said Dr Gwinji.
He urged the nurses to work harder in improving the mental health of the patients.
“One of our 2009-2013 National Health Strategy goals in the ministry is to reduce the incidence of mental illness through strengthening and promotion of mental health programmes.
“The strategy is calling out for collaborative approaches with other stakeholders to assure integrated, accessible and effective mental health services,” said Dr Gwinji.
Speaking at the same occasion, Ingutsheni Central Hospital acting chief executive officer Dr Naboth Chaibva said shortage of tutors remained the greatest challenge facing the institution.
“As we celebrate another graduation in our institution, we appeal for more tutors as we are in need of seven. In 2013 we admitted 1 288 patients and managed to discharge 906 of them.
“We also recorded an increase of deaths from 16 in 2012 to 38 in 2013 and more male patients are dying compared to females,” said Dr Chaibva.
The best student, Mr Charles Sithole, walked away with nine trophies.
Online Reporter