BULAWAYO - The country's largest psychiatric hospital is battling. Ingutsheni Hospital has had numerous reports of boiler failure and Chief Executive Officer, Godwin Gwisai, said a complete overhaul of the equipment was needed.“The boiler room breaks down frequently because the equipment is old. The laundry machines are the same and the problem is lack of funds,” he said.
He revealed that the Ministry of Health was aware of the problem and had budgeted $US 300,000 for the institution. The money has not been made available due to the financial problems in government.
Gwisai said the hospitals monthly allowance was inadequate.
“It is also important to put in perspective the fact that we are not an income-generating institution due to the nature of our patients,” he said.
Money is also needed for fumigation services as some of the patients bring lice to the institution.
“We have around 400 patients and they need to be fed and clothed. Some of them come here really dirty, and we have to clean them up. In most cases they have nothing and have been abandoned by their relatives,” he said.
Gwisai explained that the number of patients was high as relatives were not willing
to take them back.