Nearly one in three patients admitted to Zomba Mental Hospital in the first three months of this year were suffering from mental and behavioural disorders linked to cannabis use, according to new figures from the country’s main psychiatric referral facility.
Data from the hospital show that 161 of the 503 patients admitted between January 1 and March 1 2026 were diagnosed with cannabis-related mental and behavioural disorders, representing 32 percent of all admissions.
with stress. |Nation
The figures also show that men accounted for the vast majority of cases, with 405 male patients admitted during the period. Most of those affected were aged between 25 and 45.
The trend continues a pattern seen in recent years.
In 2025, the hospital recorded 2 096 admissions, of which 609 were linked to drug and substance abuse.
In 2024, out of 2 182 cases, there were 436 such admissions.
In an interview on Wednesday, the hospital’s spokesperson Harry Kawayi said the availability and affordability of drugs, particularly cannabis, were contributing to the problem.
He said: “For instance, cannabis is easily available and cheap compared to other drugs and substances.
“The drugs are used for self-medication by people going through stress. Cannabis is unknowingly consumed as a way of managing stress due to peer pressure.”
In a separate interview, clinical psychologist Chiwoza Bandawe pointed out to the Mental Health Act of 2025 which provides a human rights-based approach to care and oversee patient welfare and clinical standards across the country.
He said: “The available laws against the use of drugs and substances are not deterrent to the vice but what we need to do is to equip young people with healthy ways of dealing with stress.
“The new legislation [Mental Health Act] approaches the issue in a more caring and human rights-based, including requiring guidance, counselling and mental health education to young people in schools and communities
