25/05/2026
MENTAL HEALTH NEGLECT AS ONLY ONE NURSE SERVE AN ENTIRE DISTRICT
While mental health is one of the major health challenges affecting communities in Zimbabwe, leading to a high rate of su***de, there is a shocking revelation that each of the seven districts in Masvingo Province has only one mental health nurse to serve its entire populationThe revelation was made during a community budget session organized by My Age Africa on May 15, 2026, at the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), where Masvingo district social worker Trish Chimanda said that while there was a crippling mental health crisis in Masvingo, it was largely overlooked.“We are currently dealing with a silent mental health crisis that is disproportionately affecting our young people. The fact that one in four people in our community is struggling with their mental health should be a wakeup call, yet this issue continues to be pushed to the sidelines,” said Chimanda.She said the entire Masvingo City had one mental health nurse to deal with the high population in the town, where drug and substance abuse, one of the causes of mental health problems, is rampant.“It is a desperate situation when you have one nurse trying to serve four clinics in some of our most crowded areas like Rujeko, Runyararo, Mucheke and Runyararo West. Our staff are stretched beyond their limits, and it means many of those who need urgent help are simply not being reached. “Normally a nurse should attend a maximum of 10 patients with mental health issues. This means that some are left untreated since the population is higher, and only two nurses cannot handle it even if they stretch beyond their limits,” said Chimanda.My Age Africa Policy and Advocacy Officer Obedience Mazenge said the unemployment rate for youth was 80 percent, and young people were the most affected by mental health issues, yet at the same time they cannot afford private health services.“Some of them cannot get even 50 cents per day, so where can they find money to see psychologists? These youths cannot go to psychologists because they have no money, meaning the crisis will remain. Thirty percent drug abuse, 45 percent report depression, and only 10 percent report. Clinics are overstretched, and medicines are unaffordable in the private sector,” said Mazenge.Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamhu confirmed the sad reality, saying the ministry was shortstaffed and they had only one mental health nurse per district to coordinate with all clinics.“At times they get overwhelmed, but it is simply because there is a shortage everywhere. However, in most cases, people with mental challenges go to Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital, where they would be referred back to clinics. People with depression and stress do not usually go to clinics unless there is a breakdown or confusion,” said Dr Shamhu.He called upon people to approach clinics if they are facing mental health problems, saying they would receive counselling and, where necessary, medication.Masvingo Root of Development Organisation (MaRODO) founder and executive director Acknowledge Mawere said mental health was not being given the priority it deserved, and one mental health nurse per district was inadequate as cases of mental healthrelated issues were soaring.“As a mental health activist, I’m deeply concerned. One mental health nurse per district is woefully inadequate, especially with rising cases of mental health disorders and challenges. It’s a stark reminder of the neglect of mental health services, not only in our country but across the region. Mental health is still less prioritized,” said Mawere.He said people will struggle to access specialized care, leading to untreated conditions and worsening mental health, because one nurse cannot really serve the whole district effectively. He added that the nurse will also suffer mentally because of the workload.“It is even worse for rural areas. This means traveling long distances to seek help, which demotivates those who may need help, care and support. Nurses will be overworked, burnout is likely, and quality of care will suffer. The mental health of the caregivers and nurses themselves is at risk. Communities will suffer as mental health issues escalate, impacting productivity, relationships, and overall wellbeing,” said Mawere.He said there was need for the government to invest more and provide resources, training, and personnel to address the crisis, adding that his organization was playing a part in addressing the challenge.“It’s time to prioritize mental health, and that is why as a youth organization, we’re trying to fill in the gap with grassroots interventions, improving access to basic mental health care and psychosocial support. There is need for more investment in mental health care for the whole nation, by the government and development partners,” he said.Tafadzwa Gonye, a Community Psychology Intern with the Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe, said the challenge was that policies prioritize funding and resources for physical health over mental health.He said the situation had deepened inequalities, turning mental health care into a privilege rather than a right.“Our policies prioritise funding for physical health over mental health. This has resulted in an overstretched mental health workforce and systems that struggle to meet the growing demand for mental health care,” said Gonye.He said with the growing demand for mental health care, the country must increase investments in mental health services by opening more posts for mental health professionals in district health institutions.“Strengthening communitybased health services, investing in preventive care, and expanding the mental health workforce are key steps towards building a resilient society where everyone can access the support they deserve from our institutions,” said Gonye
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