President Emmerson Mnangagwa has led a fundraising initiative that secured more than US$2 million for the rehabilitation of Zimbabwe’s primary mental health facility, Ingutsheni Central Hospital.
At a luncheon in Bulawayo on Friday, Mnangagwa personally pledged US$1 million toward the project. He also committed to providing farm equipment and funding repairs for the hospital’s vehicle fleet at the expense of the President’s Office.
The century-old institution has been struggling with aging infrastructure and severe overcrowding, driven in part by a surge in drug and substance abuse cases among the nation's youth. Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, who organised the event, described the hospital's current conditions as “heartbreaking” and “appalled” after a recent visit.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube stated that seat sales for the event alone raised US$600 000. Other notable contributions included US$350 000 from businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and US$250 000 from presidential advisor Paul Tungwarara.
The initiative marks a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to modernise the facility. Ingutsheni remains a critical hub for specialised psychiatric care, though staff currently face significant resource shortages.
