The Government Secretary, Affiliation of Resident Medical doctors, Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Michael Osingun, has urged the federal government in any respect ranges to determine extra psychiatric hospitals in Nigeria.
Osingun made the decision in an interview with the Information Company of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.
He additionally decried “the poor state of the few present psychiatric hospitals within the nation”, saying that almost all states within the nation didn’t have a practical psychiatric hospital.
He mentioned the institution of extra psychiatric hospitals was essential because of the growing instances of psychological sickness which appeared to overwhelm accessible psychological well being amenities.
The psychiatrist attributed the rising instances of psychological sickness to drug abuse, stress, financial downturn, unemployment, insufficient funds, melancholy and results of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In line with him, psychological well being providers are barely accessible exterior the state capitals, including that there’s additionally an pressing want to determine psychological healthcare amenities on the grassroots stage.
He famous that almost all psychological well being instances occurred in rural communities the place there have been no psychological healthcare amenities/psychiatric hospitals.
“That’s the reason folks will resort to taking the victims to prayer homes the place the state of affairs shall be allowed to get difficult,” he mentioned.
Osingun mentioned there have been solely about 10 psychiatric hospitals throughout the nation including that extra ought to be established whereas present amenities ought to be geared up with ample human and materials sources.
“Psychological well being must be given the seriousness it deserves by authorities, people and non-governmental organisations.
“Let the federal government subsidise the therapy of psychological sickness, set up extra psychiatric hospitals to allow extra psychological sufferers to entry therapy.
“This may go a protracted solution to improve entry to psychological healthcare and forestall psychological instances from degenerating and making them tough to deal with or handle,” he mentioned.
The Psychiatrist mentioned that the devastating results of rebel assaults, insecurity, financial hardships and different crises throughout the nation had left a number of folks in want of psychiatric analysis.
He defined that though victims of these crises had been typically affected psychologically, little or no consideration was given to offering them with well being care to serve their wants.
He recognized lack of political help, insufficient administration, over-burdened well being providers and resistance from policymakers and well being employees as a few of the elements affecting the event of a very good psychological healthcare system in Nigeria.
He, subsequently, urged the federal government in any respect ranges to prioritise the welfare of the residents by making certain that the fundamental requirements of life had been made accessible and reasonably priced.
“Psychological well being is as necessary as bodily well being. Psychological well being is the bottom of all well being. For one to have well being, he/she have to be mentally secure. So, there’s no well being with out psychological well being.
“However you discover out that companies of presidency and worldwide organisations focus extra on catering for the bodily wants of the folks slightly than psychological wants,” Osingun mentioned.
He additionally alleged that though Nigeria had a psychological well being coverage the coverage was not being carried out including that such a coverage ought to be reviewed and carried out
“For too lengthy, psychological issues have been largely missed although they’re present in all nations.
“Psychological issues are present in ladies and men, in any respect levels of life, among the many wealthy and the poor and in each rural and concrete settings.
“If folks with psychological issues fail to obtain the therapy and care they require, they threat changing into marginalised by society and plenty of descend into poverty and homelessness,” Osingun mentioned.
(NAN)