Dr. Pinaman Appau, Director of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital has asked government to push quickly for the passage of the Legislative Instrument (LI), that would support the enforcement of the Mental Health Act passed in 2012.
She said this will enable the Mental Health Authority to function effectively.
[contextly_sidebar id=”5C7J4EwHyLk7itM5rbgtyDS8ZHZ7icny”]The Act enables the provision and creation of modern and community-based mental health systems, and for the protection of the rights of persons with mental disorders.
It has however not been backed by an L.I. since its passage.
As Ghana joins the world to mark World Health Day today, Wednesday, October 10, 2018, Dr. Appau laments the current state of mental health care delivery in the country.
“Funding has been one of our major challenges. Again why our facilities should be so neglected? 2012 we came out with a Mental Health Act and it is one of the best we can find, so we need to pass that L.I,” he said.
This year’s Mental Health Day is under the theme: “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World”
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has also called for increased funding towards the provision of mental health care.
According to him, the Health Ministry needs to ensure the full operationalization of the Mental Health Act following its passage by Parliament.
“The point is that in Ghana, it’s lack of resources or lack of money. We need to take a decision on it nationally, and to resource the ministry of health and the mental health department because even in terms of training there is still inadequacy,” he said.
Ghana has a Mental Health Act that was passed into law in 2012, but it lacks the necessary LI for its smooth implementation to help navigate the problems that have plagued mental health care in Ghana.
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By: Farida Yusif/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
