Expressing concern, the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) highlighted the failure to domesticate the Mental Health Act, leaving individuals grappling with mental health issues without access to adequate care and protection against discrimination.
The Mental Health Bill was approved in 2023 by President Muhammadu Buhari following unsuccessful attempts to revamp it in 2003 and 2013.
This law outlines the rights of individuals with mental health disorders and the treatment they are entitled to receive.
Despite its existence, the act has not been implemented at the local level.
During a workshop organized by the APN in collaboration with the Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta, the association’s national president, Taiwo Obindo, emphasized the urgency for the government to expedite the domestication of the act.
He asserted that the implementation of the Act would guarantee the necessary support and understanding for people facing mental health challenges.
Advocating for increased funding to establish a specialized Department of Mental Health within the Federal Ministry of Health and the establishment of a Mental Health Fund to provide essential resources, Obindo stated,
“Domesticating the Mental Health Act is essential to prevent the marginalization and stigmatization of individuals with mental health issues. We call on the government to act promptly to ensure all citizens have access to comprehensive care and support.
Dr. Yesiu Kareem, another speaker at the workshop, also stressed the importance of localizing the Act, citing that approximately 40 million Nigerians are affected by some form of mental health issue.
Highlighting the treatment gap, Dr. Kareem pointed out the challenges faced in accessing evidence-based treatments for mental health problems due to the limited number of psychiatrists available in the country.
Less than 300 psychiatrists serve a population of 200 million people, resulting in a significant shortage in mental health professionals. He noted that a large percentage of psychiatrists are looking to emigrate for better opportunities.