Mental Health

Story: Vida Pearl Atakpa

THE Accra Psychiatric Hospital recorded a total number of 30,904 representing 12.4% during the third quarter of 2008 as against 26,261 patients who were admitted in 2007.
Speaking at the end of year award ceremony and X’mas party for patients and staff of the Hospital on Thursday by Dr. Akwasi Osei, Medical Director of the Hospital.
According to him, the increase was due to cases of schizophrenia, depression, mania and substance abuse out of these new cases indicated a data of 2,066 males against 1,854 females.
He expressed regret about the rate at which the youth continue to indulge in alcohol and drug abuse against all advice which are the major causes of mental health in the country.
Dr. Osei noted some of the challenges as inadequate human resources and financial problems which compelled them to embarked on mass repatriation of 90 patients to their respective homes.
He noted however that, the hospital has been able to operationalise laboratory through donor agencies like Friends of the Hospital and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Osei appealed to government to pass the Mental Health Bill in order to eschew maltreatment of some healers at prayer camps.
He adviced the public especially the youth to stay away from drugs and alcohol to curb mental illness in the country.
As part of the ceremony, a dancing competition among the inmates of the hospital was organized and winners were given awards.
Special awards were given to deserving workers of the hospital for their hard work and dedication to the inmates.
Dr. Akwasi Osei commended Ghanaians for their comportment during the just ended elections and appealed to them to do same in the run off.