Mental health subcommittee launched in Western Region

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Mental Health Authority, has launched the Western Region Mental Health Sub-committee. The committee among other things is to provide effective care for persons with mental health challenges. The provision of mental health care in the Western Region like many other parts of the country, has been faced with a number of challenges ranging from inadequate professional mental health care professionals, inadequate and dilapidated infrastructure to house persons with mental problems, and a starvation of the mental health authority of funds. The Medical Health Director of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Dr. Paul Ntodi at the launch of the Sub-committee in Takoradi, noted that “the challenges have affected the quality of healthcare delivery in the region leading to an increase in the persons with mental challenges in the metropolis.”

According to the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Mental Health Authority Dr. Akwasi Osei, “aside other initiatives, there would be a National Mental Health Tribunal which will have the powers of a High Court, to prosecute persons who abuse the rights of mental health patients for sanctions.” By its powers, the court will also sanction persons who leave their mentally retarded relatives on the streets.” He added that the newly inaugurated members who have the Matron of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital Lucy Dadzie as Chairperson “will promote mental health to ensure that persons with mental illness will receive quality care with no stigma, no discrimination and no human right abuses in the region.”