Angel of Hope Sees Record Rehabilitation Intake

Zimbabwe’s Angel of Hope Rehabilitation Centre admitted a record 200 patients in its third intake (image source)

The grounds of the Angel of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mbare became a hub of activity last weekend as the facility admitted 200 patients in its third and most oversubscribed intake since opening in July. Families from across Zimbabwe braved long queues at Stodart Hall, seeking help for loved ones caught in the grip of substance abuse. The centre’s third cohort surpassed capacity within hours, prompting staff to turn away dozens of applicants who arrived after the 6 a.m. registration cut-off. This marks the highest single-intake demand seen at the facility, underscoring a surge in calls for professional rehabilitation services.

Some guardians brought children under armed supervision, with a handful arriving in handcuffs to prevent escape. Among the 200 enrollees were a 14-year-old school dropout escorted by his grandfather, two mothers injured by their own offspring during admission, and a university-trained lawyer who went missing on graduation day before resurfacing at the centre for treatment.

“Drug abuse has left deep scars on our children, but here at this centre, we will work together to confront and overcome the damage it has caused,” said First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa during patient assessments. She spent hours engaging families, offering assurance that recovery is possible.

Upon admission, each patient undergoes a thorough evaluation to distinguish between drug dependency and underlying mental health conditions. Medical teams then assign individuals to tailored programmes, ensuring they receive either specialised psychiatric care or focused detoxification for drug and substance abuse.

Since its launch in July, the centre’s toll-free line—575—has been inundated with inquiries. Over 1,500 calls were logged in the first two months, reflecting Zimbabwe’s widening drug crisis and the public’s desperation for accessible treatment options. Participants embark on a holistic regimen that blends supervised detox, individual and group counselling, educational workshops, and structured physical activities. Patients also learn life skills such as farming, carpentry, and culinary arts, aimed at facilitating social reintegration post-treatment.

Mr Charles Nyamukubva, the centre’s administrator, said the facility operates around the clock. “Our multidisciplinary teams work tirelessly to ensure that every enrollee receives personalised care and community support,” he noted, adding that host families and local churches provide follow-up for graduates entering the reintegration phase.

The Angel of Hope Centre, founded by the Angel of Hope Foundation under the patronage of Dr Mnangagwa, was conceived to fill a national gap in residential rehabilitation. With a capacity capped at 200 patients per intake, it has already outpaced projections for demand in Harare’s most vulnerable districts.

As the centre prepares its next intake in December, stakeholders are calling for increased government funding, expanded regional facilities, and tighter regulation of illicit drug supply chains. Families and aid organisations alike hope that sustained political commitment will translate into a nationwide network of rehabilitation services.