Trymore Tagwirei

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has raised the alarm over deteriorating conditions at Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital following the tragic death of a patient.

The patient allegedly escaped through a damaged security fence and was later found dead in the Tugwi River.

In a statement, ZINA said the death of Beatrice Murera highlighted the urgent need to address crumbling infrastructure, inadequate security, chronic staff shortages, and persistent power outages at the institution, warning that both patients and healthcare workers remain at serious risk.

Murera reportedly escaped from Villa Ward 2 through a damaged perimeter fence that has remained unrepaired for an extended period, despite repeated recommendations for its replacement.

The statement, signed by ZINA president Enoch Dongo, noted that the hospital’s Acute Ward is in a deplorable condition. Its roof is on the verge of collapse, posing a serious danger to patients and staff while creating additional escape points.

The nurses’ union expressed deep concern over a critical shortage of nursing staff. ZINA emphasized that inadequate staffing levels have made it increasingly difficult to provide continuous supervision and quality care for vulnerable psychiatric patients.

The association also cited prolonged electricity challenges following the destruction of the hospital’s transformer by a fire last month. The institution’s existing solar system is unable to provide adequate power throughout the night, leaving wards in complete darkness and compromising both patient safety and effective monitoring.

“The current state of Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital is unacceptable,” Dongo said. “The deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate security, severe staff shortages, and unreliable electricity supply have created conditions that put both patients and healthcare workers at significant risk.”

“We urge the responsible authorities to immediately repair the damaged perimeter fence, rehabilitate the Acute Ward, restore a reliable power supply by replacing the burnt transformer, and address the critical shortage of nursing staff. No family should lose a loved one because of preventable failures in our healthcare system.”

The situation at Ngomahuru is part of a long-standing issue. Over the years, several patients have lost their lives while attempting to escape from the institution. Some have drowned while trying to cross the Tugwi River, while others have been attacked and killed by crocodiles.

ZINA has urged authorities to immediately rehabilitate the hospital’s infrastructure, strengthen security measures, and improve staffing levels to prevent similar tragedies in the future.