Zimbabwean health workers battling drug abuse

More than 70 medical professionals in Zimbabwe are struggling with drug and substance abuse, raising alarm over the extent of the crisis within the very sector tasked with fighting it.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora made the revelation during the Zimbabwe Medical Association (ZiMA) annual Scientific Congress in Bulawayo, where he urged the medical fraternity to confront the issue head-on.

"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," Dr Mombeshora said.

"When the healer becomes the patient, our entire system is at risk. We now have more than 70 or so health professionals who are struggling with drug and substance abuse. Let us help them."

The minister called on medical practitioners, regulators and training institutions to create support systems to address the growing problem, including 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 said.

ZiMA president Dr Kudzai Masinire also raised concern over the situation, warning that substance abuse was now contributing to loss of fitness and incapacitation among health workers.

"This is mostly due to non-communicable diseases, but very worryingly, issues of substance misuse in the medical profession," Dr Masinire said.

The revelations come as Zimbabwe faces an escalating drug abuse crisis, with substances such as crystal meth, cough syrups and illicit brews wreaking havoc on communities. Health experts warn that the growing prevalence of drug use among health workers risks undermining public confidence in the sector while further straining an already fragile healthcare system.