The Management of Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun state has raised the alarm over growing number of patients being abandoned in the hospital after their admittance for treatments, saying at least 250 to 300 patients are treated in the facility monthly.
Provost and Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Timothy Adewale who raised the alarm hinted that no fewer than 50 psychiatric patients are on monthly bases abandoned in the hospital by their relatives due to their inability to offset their bills.
Adebowale, who addressed a press conference Wednesday in Abeokuta, the state capital to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day explained that the hospital attends to between 250 and 300 psychiatric patients on monthly basis.
The Provost however, appealed to good spirited Nigerians to come to the assistance of the mentally challenged Nigerians in the area of finance to enable the hospital overcome challenges of feeding and treating them.
“On a monthly basis, we have record of 250 to 300 patients in our hospital. I am not talking about those ones who are already with us. These are the new patients.”
Adebowale, who said this year’s edition was themed, “Young People and Mental Health In A Changing World”, however, disclosed that half of all mental illness usually begin at the age of 14 with most of the cases gone undetected and untreated.
He identified harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents as a major factor causing medical illness, saying it could lead to unsafe sex, dangerous driving and crimes.
While calling on the National Assembly to pass the Mental Health Bill before in order to curb the menace in the country, the Provost equally called on federal government to investment in education sector and evidence-based programmes for the mental health of the young people with a view to tackling increase of mental illness in the society.
He said, “Investment by governments and the involvement of social, health, education sector and the media in comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based programmes for the mental health of young people is essential.
“This investment should be linked to programmes to raise awareness among adolescents and young adults on ways to look after their mental health, and to help peers, parents and teachers to know how to support their friends, children and students.”
