Psychiatrists have
identified six major challenges in the management of mental disorders in
the country, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The challenges,
according to them, include inadequate funding, dearth of manpower, high
cost of treatment, poor facilities, lack of infrastructure and obsolete
mental laws.
The medical experts said this while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Prof. Olayinka
Omigbodun, a consultant and Head of Department, Children and Adolescent
Psychiatry, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, attributed the
challenge to neglect of rising cases of mental disorder in the society
by relevant stakeholders.
"The Nigerian government has not put enough emphasis on this area of health challenge which is on the increase daily.
"For instance, out of every 20 admission made daily at the UCH, six or seven are generated from schizophrenia.
"Half of this
admission is discharged early after full recovery from treatment, but a
lot others remain for longer periods of time in the ward.
"In a population of
about 170 million people or thereabout, it is speculated that about 64
million Nigerians suffer from one form of mental disorder or the other
deserving attention.
"Government had
done much in the area of Primary Health Care and HIV/AIDS, much is yet
to be done in the area of psychiatry and mental health and this is a
little disheartening.
"In a population of
about 170 million people, we only have about 250 psychiatrists. The
nurses and social workers are even fewer than the doctors.
"This is because of
the stigmatisation of people who are care givers for those with mental
disorders. So, most of the patients are managed unprofessionally at
home.
"A more serious
problem is the way many families hide their wards and children at home
because of social stigma and the patients end up being in permanent
conditions of unwellness.
"These are probably the cases you see on the streets," said the expert.
She defined mental
disorder as a condition that influences the way a person thinks, feels,
behaves or relates to others and to his surroundings.
The psychiatrist
said although the symptoms of mental illness could range from the mild
to severe, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to
cope with life's daily routines and demands.
Omigbodun called on government at all levels to commit more funds to the management of mental disorders in the country.
A Social Welfare
officer in Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs told NAN on condition of
anonymity that the state government engages in intervention activities
for those found on the streets. CONTINUE READING
ALLAFRICA
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