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County on spot over ailing mental health

 

The county has two psychiatric clinical officers and three psychiatric nurses.

The County Government of Kisumu is on the spot for failing to finance mental health despite an increasing number of patients reported in the county.

Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting, medics revealed that there have been no funds allocated for mental health, a situation that has crippled services in public facilities.

A psychiatric clinical officer at the Kisumu County Hospital (KCH) Faith Wambui, said a lack of finance has led to poor patient follow-ups after discharge, and a lack of quality medical care.

“Health services can be effectively offered, but a lack of funds makes work very challenging,” she said.

Ms Wambui added that as a result of inadequate services and a lack of support in curative and promotive services, mental health patients' pain has worsened.

The county focal person at the mental department, Jeremiah Okuto, said the county government is working towards increasing human resources.

The county has two psychiatric clinical officers and three psychiatric nurses.

According to data in the District Health Information Software (DHIS), the county has about 900 patients suffering from mental health-related illnesses.

But according to Okuto, the data is inaccurate since a number of patients seek medical services in private facilities and from traditional herbalists.

“Based on the stigma that comes with mental illness, some patients are abandoned while others seek refuge in different religions.”

He said the department is working on getting data that will give a true picture of the prevalence of mental health illnesses in the county.

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