Increased Attempted Suicides at Mpilo Central Hospital Amid 245% Surge in Cases in Bulawayo
Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo has witnessed a significant surge in attempted suicide cases, marking a troubling 245 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The affected demographic primarily comprises young adults below the age of 30.
Over the span of January and February this year, the referral hospital documented 38 suicide attempts, contrasting sharply with the 11 cases reported during the equivalent timeframe in the previous year. In 2023, Mpilo recorded a total of 162 attempted suicide cases, indicating a concerning trend.
Various factors have been identified as contributing to this alarming rise, including failed marriages, work-related stress, unemployment, family breakdowns, and experiences of grief.
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Zimbabwe’s suicide rate has been on an upward trajectory. In 2015, the rate stood at 12 deaths per 100,000 people, increasing to 14.1 deaths per 100,000 people by 2019. By 2020, this figure surged to 18 deaths per 100,000 people, surpassing the global average of 10.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
Comparatively, Zimbabwe’s suicide rate exceeds that of neighboring countries such as South Africa (12.5 deaths per 100,000 people) and Mozambique (10.9 deaths per 100,000 people), as reported by the World Bank.
Professor Solwayo Ngwenya, the clinical director at Mpilo Central Hospital, highlighted that the most prevalent method employed by patients involved mixing pesticides with alcohol. This distressing trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive mental health interventions and support systems to address the root causes of suicide and provide timely assistance to those in crisis.
“In 2023 January and February, we had 11 cases and this year during the same period we have had 38 cases, which translates to a 245 percent increase. Last year, we had 162 cases and now in just two months into the year, we already have 38 which is a cause of concern,” he said.
“The most used substance is a pesticide which is mixed with alcohol. We have some people who are abusing the medication and others starve themselves to death. Underlying childhood problems, family disintegration, and marriage disputes are driving these cases and this is a wake-up call for us as a community.”
Professor Ngwenya noted that some patients have identified depression and bullying as significant factors motivating their suicide attempts.
“Grief and disputes with workmates is another challenge and I think something should be done to make our work environment less toxic. On the other hand, it’s the unemployment depression, and the ages are worrying because it’s mainly young people in their early and late 20s,” he said.
“We are trying our best to counsel these patients, our psychiatric nurses are working flat out to counsel them so that they get the necessary help.”
