Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A SENIOR matron at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo is allegedly abusing vulnerable psychiatric patients and pocketing their money, with whistleblowers claiming a culture of silence and fear inside the institution.
The matron’s name has been withheld while the allegations are still being examined.
Sources who spoke to B-Metro on condition of anonymity say some patients in the ward lost money after entrusting it to the matron, who was responsible for supervising their welfare.
One whistleblower alleged that complaints about missing cash were raised through suggestion boxes inside the hospital, but little action followed.
“Letters were written anonymously about patients’ money disappearing,” said the source. “The matrons discussed the issue, but nothing serious was done.”
In one troubling case, a patient is alleged to have lost more than US$200.
The whistleblower claimed the patient had been buying clothes and food through the matron until the money allegedly ran out.
“When the patient started asking questions about his money, he was suddenly transferred to another ward and labelled aggressive,” the source said.
Questions have also been raised about ward projects and funds allegedly collected to support them.
According to insiders, staff members were sometimes asked to contribute or mobilise resources for small agricultural projects meant to support patients.
One source claims there was little transparency about how the money was handled.
“When a new matron took over the ward, she was not handed any funds or records of what had been collected,” the source said.”
She even had to start projects from her own pocket by buying seeds.”
Concerns about staff conduct have also surfaced.
Another source alleged that confidential medical information belonging to a staff member was once discussed openly in front of others, a move that raised serious ethical questions.
“The matron said the staff member was HIV-positive, when everyone was listening. It was embarrassing,” said the source.
The hospital has recently faced other troubling reports involving patient welfare and security.
Last month, two patients allegedly escaped from one of the wards after a door was left unsecured, raising fears about safety controls inside the psychiatric institution.
In a separate case, a patient who later left the hospital claimed she had been subjected to insults and physical mistreatment while admitted.
“She said patients were sometimes shouted at and told they were useless,” a source close to the matter said.
Mental health advocates say the allegations highlight the vulnerability of psychiatric patients who often rely entirely on staff for care and protection.
“This is a group that needs compassion and strict oversight,” said one advocate familiar with conditions at the hospital.
When contacted for comment, Ingutsheni Central Hospital chief executive officer, Dr Wellington Ranga, declined to provide details, citing an institutional discomfort with the publication.
“I am not comfortable working with B-Metro. I showed your questions to the public relations and Human Resources departments, and they strongly advised that working with B-Metro is not okay,” he said.
B-Metro understands that some of the concerns have been raised internally and may be under review.
The newspaper will continue to follow developments surrounding the allegations.
