(Last Updated on February 16, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
MASVINGO – The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) wrote a letter to relevant authorities demanding the immediate restoration of water supplies at Ngomahuru mental hospital which has forced patients to bath at a nearby river for more than a month.
According to a statement from the human rights organisation, the letter addressed to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company(ZETDC) and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, expressed concern over the safety of the patients who are now forced to take a bath at a river.
“In our letter, we raised concern over the taking of both female and male patients at the same time to take a bath at Magwangwadza River located about 1km away from Ngomahuru Mental Hospital and that patients are being put to great risk of drowning or being attacked by crocodiles.
“We also highlighted that the right to health of patients and the community is being seriously compromised in light of the current #COVID19 pandemic and other diseases,” said ZLHR.
ZLHR warned that it will take legal action against the said authorities should they fail to address the issue.