Kenya: Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, has asked county governments to set up mental clinics in their hospitals to ease off pressure on the country’s referral facility.
Speaking at Mathari Hospital in Nairobi during the World Mental Health Commemoration Day on Friday, Macharia said the decentralisation of more mental health care units will ease congestion in mental health wards.
“The county governments are expected to establish mental units in their hospitals in order to equitably provide services throughout the country,” he said.
Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital is the largest national mental health referral hospital. It treats, cares and rehabilitates patients with mental disorders in addition to training mental health professionals in the country.
However, the hospital has been experiencing overpopulation in its wards. It has a capacity of 750 beds and the population crisis has been aggravated because the hospital’s three mental health wards are being refurbished so that it can discharge its crucial mandate.
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“We are currently renovating our three mental health wards, two male wards and one female, and we now have a major challenge of accommodating patients,” said Syengo Mutisya, the Deputy Medical Superintendent and Head Clinical Officer.
Macharia pointed out that many families and communities have neglected sufferers of severe mental disorders due to stigma attached to the illness. He urged families and the community at large to conduct activities that promote good mental health, and treat and rehabilitate those with mental disorders.
Mental illness has been discovered to be a significant contributor to be the burden of diseases across the world.
Macharia urged families and communities at large to be at the forefront in tackling mental health issues.
According to a report by World Health Organisation, 450 million people suffer from mental disorders globally.
Martin Ng’ang’a Kamau, a patient who has suffered mental illness since 1970, said his illness started as a depression.
