Story by Farai Gwaze
ZIMBABWE’S fight against the drug and substance abuse menace is on course, with a rehabilitation centre taking shape at Wilkins Hospital in Harare.
A block at Wilkins Hospital is currently undergoing refurbishment to facilitate the rehabilitation of drug and substance abuse addicts in line with the Zimbabwe Multi-Sectoral Drug and Substance Abuse Plan launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in June last year.
Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa, took a familiarisation tour of the facility this Wednesday to assess progress made.
“You are aware that His Excellency launched this plan at State House, and as Harare province, we are now preparing rehabilitation centres. I am glad we are now here at Wilkins, where we will at least be able to accommodate 50 patients per day. We are also setting up centres in Glen Norah, Chitubu, Mbare, Stodart Hall, and Tsiga,” he said.
Harare City Council, Director of Health Services, Dr Prosper Chonzi, highlighted the scope of the project and preparedness of the facility.
“We are happy that the Minister is here today to check our state of preparedness for those who need acute management. We are pleased with this facility, which will be equipped to handle 50 patients – 30 males and 20 females. We will then be able to reintegrate them into the community after working with them here. We are happy to see that there is a good budget allocated to run this facility, and the renovations are progressing smoothly. We hope to make it habitable for our patients soon,” he noted.
This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing the drug and substance abuse scourge in the country, with an interministerial committee having also been set up to lead the process.
