Gom Mirian
Psychiatrists in Nigeria have raised the alarm over the massive brain drain of mental health doctors, saying it is hindering effective delivery of their services in the country.
Prof. Taiwo Obindo, a Professor of Psychiatry/Consultant at the University of Jos and President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, decried the dearth of mental health doctors in the country, adding that there is currently a ratio of 200 psychiatrists to over 200 million people.
He made this known in an interview with African Health Report, (AHR) on Wednesday.
The mental health expert lamented that this dismal figure results in poor care and support for patients who require immediate attention.
Prof. Obindo noted that the current hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies has made it difficult for mental health professionals to commute to work, thereby leading to a decline in the quality of mental health services provided.
Another challenge faced by medical practitioners, he added, is poor funding of mental health facilities as only 3 % of Nigeria’s 2022 budget was earmarked for the health sector in general.
He also listed stigmatization of mental health problems by family members, communities and policymakers as a huge challenge, in addition to absence of infrastructure in rural areas for patients to access local healthcare services.
To address this menace, he urged the government to ensure that the recently passed Mental Health Act is completely implemented, provide a welcoming work environment, and subsidise mental health medications to make it more accessible to the patients.
