NGO urges FG to integrate mental health care into PHC system
NAN-HG-1
Health
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, June 13, 2017 (NAN) Mr Ameh Zion, President, Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI), an NGO, has urged the Federal Government to integrate mental health care into the Primary Health Care (PHC) system.
Zion made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
He critisised the failure of the federal government to integrate mental health care into the primary health care system since it gave an assurance it would do so in 1978.
He said that government was not doing enough to spread awareness on mental health especially to rural communities around the country.
Zion noted that due to this laxity, there was currently a wide gap in the level of mental health awareness between Nigeria and other nations.
“In Nigeria there is a wide margin as far as awareness and knowledge of mental health is concerned.
“In trying to cover this gap there needs to be a cordial relationship between local government authorities, traditional rulers and the federal government.
“This is important because these are the people who are in touch with each and every member of their communities and this makes it easier to take the message to everyone.
“If you go through history, in 1978, the federal government pledged to integrate mental health care and psycho social support services into the PHC centres but as we speak that has not been done.
“This is a major problem and barrier; after creating awareness in local communities and then community members decide to go a facility for check-up they are turned back because the care is not available to give them in these centres.
“What government needs to do is to ensure they are the biggest platform that can drive the integration of mental health support system to primary health care facilities.
“After this is achieved, it can now extend the services to the secondary and tertiary health care level,” Zion said.
He said that only few hospitals under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) provided mental health services in the country, urging that the trend should not be allowed to continue.
Besides, he urged government to use its authority to move the Ministry of Health, parastatals and agencies under it to integrate mental health services in the country.
Zion also urged international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support local NGOs who are working assidiously to help move the campaign on mental health in the country.
He said that his organisation has continued to take the campaign to local communities within the FCT, adding that these communities are gradually becoming aware about the condition.
According to Zion, we have been able to let these people understand that they should also be conscious of their health which is not physical that is mental health. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola