Crisis in White Coats: Drug Abuse Grips Over 70 Zimbabwean Doctors
More than 70 medical professionals in Zimbabwe are currently battling drug and substance abuse disorders, a revelation that has sparked serious concern across the country’s healthcare sector.
The figure was disclosed by Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora during the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) Annual Scientific Congress held recently in Bulawayo.
Addressing delegates, Dr Mombeshora urged the medical community to confront the crisis with honesty and urgency, warning that the problem is no longer confined to the general population.
“Let’s face emerging challenges honestly. One urgent threat is drug and substance abuse, which is devastating young people and straining our health systems.
“Yet we cannot pretend that it is only out there, some health professionals themselves are also struggling with substance abuse.
“Let me say, when the healer becomes the patient, our entire system is at risk”, he said.
The minister called on unaffected practitioners to support their colleagues who are struggling, emphasizing the importance of peer counselling and ethical reinforcement.
“I urge ZiMA and regulators and training institutions to strengthen ethics, peer support and counselling. As doctors we must remember that we cannot pour from an empty cup,” he added.
ZiMA President Dr Kudzai Masinire echoed the minister’s concerns, noting a troubling rise in professional incapacitation linked to substance misuse.
“This is mostly due to non-communicable diseases, but very worryingly, issues of substance misuse in the medical profession,” he said.
Dr Nemache Mawere, Chief Medical Officer at Ingutsheni Central Hospital, Zimbabwe’s largest psychiatric institution, revealed that the most commonly abused substances among admitted patients include alcohol, cannabis, crystal meth, and cough mixtures.
While drugs like cocaine and heroin are rarely encountered, prescription medications such as Pethidine—typically administered to women in labour are reportedly being misused by some medical professionals.
Ingutsheni Hospital is currently overwhelmed, bearing the burden of care due to the absence of dedicated rehabilitation centres in Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
“A drug rehabilitation facility was designed in St Lukes II ward and a Bill of Quantities is ready. Funding was promised but we are still waiting for the project to take off,” Dr Mawere said.
He outlined a phased recovery plan that includes housing 20 acute patients, followed by transfer to a hostel-type facility proposed for Lobengula, and eventual reintegration through Emakhandeni Halfway Home, which also requires refurbishment.
“This kind of arrangement will ensure there is a step-down approach. We need a similar approach in other parts of the country as well,” he added.
The Sunday Mail reports that Zimbabwe has begun implementing the National Drug Master Plan, which aims to combat drug and substance abuse through supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction strategies.
Rehabilitation centres play a critical role in this framework by offering structured support and treatment.
Ingutsheni Hospital confirmed it is well-stocked with essential medications, maintaining a minimum three-month supply for patients.
Dr Mombeshora also reminded doctors of their core mission: serving communities before seeking financial gain.
“I do not think there is anyone who has been poor because you have given help to someone, no. Let’s not think about money first, in any business, you provide a service and the money comes after.
“Even for us, let’s provide the service and the money comes after, but if we think of money first and get rich, the people will run away from you,” he said.
He encouraged practitioners to promote local healthcare services to reduce health tourism and ensure Zimbabweans access quality care within the country.
