Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says the African continent requires home grown solutions to public health challenges.
He was speaking during a fundraising ceremony for the rehabilitation of infrastructure at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo this Friday. The fundraising event to raise funds for Ingutsheni Central Hospital was held in Bulawayo this Friday.
The institution which has over 600 patients is the Southern Region referral hospital for patients with mental illness. The event was presided over by the head of state, Dr Mnangagwa who used the platform to bring attention on the need for African countries to build resilient health care systems.
“Our country, the SADC region and the African continent at large require home-grown solutions to public health challenges, as indispensable ingredients to build resilient systems that safeguard the lives and livelihoods of our people. Similarly, to achieve health sovereignty, there is a need for sustainable financing mechanisms and self-sufficiency, more so in a world with shifting trends and shrinking external support,” he said.
Among the causes of mental illness is drug and substance abuse, and President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa says the government has prioritised rehabilitation centres countrywide.
“In response to this challenge, my administration established the National Committee on Drug and Substance Abuse. The Committee is implementing a Whole-of-Government and Society Approach aimed at prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of those affected by drug and substance abuse. Within this framework, my Government has prioritised the establishment and strengthening of treatment and rehabilitation centres nationwide, including upgrading existing institutions such as Ingutsheni Central Hospital.”
Even as the Government works to establish centres that deal with patients affected by mental health, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said it is key to investigate the triggers.
“The development philosophy of our country reminds us that ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo ,Our nation is built by its people.I, thus, call upon the academia to find solutions towards addressing the underlying causes of mental health as well as improve service delivery across both private and public institutions”
Over US$2 million was raised during the event, with President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa calling on the business community to collaborate with the government to restore dignity and capacity at Ingutsheni Central Hospital.
Other institutions that provide mental health care include Ngomahuru in Masvingo, Parirenyatwa Hospital Annexe and Harare Hospital Psychiatric Unit .
