Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mr. Gaye TheVoice
Published on 2024-02-27 09:52:29
The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) officials conducted an orientation program with journalists, particularly those on the health desk of various media outlets, on the draft Mental Health Bill. The event took place on February 22, 2024, at the CIAM conference Hall in Kanifing.
Mam Jarra Marega, the Program Manager of the National Mental Health Programme at the Ministry of Health, led the orientation program and covered various topics in her presentation. She discussed the objectives, achievements, challenges, risks, opportunities, and the way forward for the program. Marega highlighted that the NMHP coordinates and facilitates all mental health activities in The Gambia.
In her presentation, Marega defined mental health as a state of well-being where individuals realize their potential, cope with life stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community. She also mentioned that mental health problems encompass a wide range of conditions characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behavior, and relationships with others.
According to Marega, mental health conditions are a significant cause of disabilities globally and are gaining attention as an international health concern. She noted a considerable gap between the number of people affected by mental health issues and those receiving treatment in The Gambia.
Describing the mental health service delivery in the country, Marega mentioned that services were decentralized in 2018 but centralization occurred in 2020/2021. The service components include inpatient, outpatient, and community services, which work together to provide quality and accessible mental health services to the general public in The Gambia.
She also highlighted some achievements of the NMHP, such as training healthcare workers on mental health protocols, developing manuals, and adopting updated versions of mental health guidelines. Despite these achievements, challenges such as inadequate funds, staff attrition, lack of specialized personnel, and unenacted mental health bills persist.
Marega emphasized the risks and threats to mental health, including outdated legislation, insufficient budget allocation, staff turnover, and limited research for evidence-based care. Other speakers at the orientation program included Mr. Bakary Camara from Tanka Tanka who presented on the services offered, and Amadou Jallow who discussed the role of media in mental health awareness. Dr. Momodou Gassama of WHO stressed the importance of journalists in reporting health issues and encouraged them to prioritize health-related stories for the benefit of the public.
Overall, the orientation program provided valuable insights into the current status of mental health services in The Gambia and highlighted the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals, media representatives, and government officials to address mental health challenges effectively.
Read the original article on The Voice Gambia
