ZIMBABWE has less than 20 psychiatrists amid increased
demand for mental health services due to the deteriorating economic situation
in the country with a population of around 15 million people, the Zimbabwe
Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has said.
A report presented at the 41th session of the Human Rights
Council currently underway in Geneva, Switzerland, the ZADHR yesterday said
mental disorders were among the commonest cause of disability in Zimbabwe, but
government continued to give lip service to mental health care.
“In any given year, an estimated 20% of Zimbabweans suffer
from mental illness, and of these 4% (approximately 600 000) suffer from
debilitating mental illness,” ZADHR said.
“Neuropsychiatric disorders are the leading cause of disability
in Zimbabwe accounting for 18,7% of all years of life lost to disability and
premature mortality, especially from suicide in people under 35 years of age.
“Despite this seemingly obvious huge problem, mental
illnesses continue to be given little attention, if not neglected, in
Zimbabwe.”
ZADHR cited economic hardships as the biggest cause of
mental disorders.
“The collapse of the economy and the skyrocketing inflation
in the country has pushed the majority of people into the doldrums of poverty, a
situation which has led to more demand for mental health services,” said the
doctors.
“The youths have been the hardest hit and indeed we have
witnessed an increase in substance abuse and a notable increase in substance
use disorders has been recorded at all levels.”
ZADHR further noted that about 60% of admissions at mental
institutions were due to substance abuse, especially among young people.
“The substances include, but are not limited to alcohol,
cannabis, BronClear, prescription drugs, cocaine and crack cocaine, among
others. We urge the government to find a quick and lasting solution to the
economic meltdown to avoid these preventable determinants of mental illness,”
reads the report.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a gnawing economic
meltdown characterised by hyperinflation and shortages of foreign currency and
essential goods such as fuel.
The continued fall of the local RTGS dollar to the US
dollar has forced some pharmaceutical companies and most health institutions to
demand payment of goods and services in foreign currency, a scarce commodity
for most people.
ZADHR added: “At a clinical level, Zimbabwe has less than
20 psychiatrists for a population of over 15 million, moreover these are only
located at central hospitals, meaning that the rural population have
difficulties accessing these specialist services.” Newsday
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