Africa-Press – Botswana. The newly appointed members of the Mental Health Board have been urged to work hard and get guidance from national values and principles to drive the mental health agenda.
Minister of Health Dr Edwin Dikoloti said during orientation of the board members in Gaborone on Tuesday that mental health boards, if operational and accessible, should protect the rights and dignity of mental healthcare users and their families.
“This board should equally be the sanctuary within which all those going through difficult, painful and stressful situations can find a voice,” he said.
He said mental health was regarded as an indispensable part of human health, which should always be guarded.
Additionally, Dr Dikoloti said the world over, violence, disasters, breakdown of community and family structures, gender inequality, economic inequalities, cultural polarisation and racial prejudice were just some of the drivers that threatened the mental and psychological wellbeing of women, men, girls and boys.
“Mental health and psycho-social needs are an indispensable part of daily lives.
Globally, it is estimated that one in four persons face a mental health apprehension in their lifetime, and Botswana is not immune to hat reality,” he said.
He said given the reality, government through the Ministry of Health continued to facilitate investment in mental health, among others, by providing a conducive environment for the Mental Health Board to function.
He, therefore, congratulated the appointed eight Mental Health Board members, that would serve for a period of three years, and said they would have the pleasure to witness the repeal of the Mental Disorders Act 1971 (Cap. 63:02) and hopefully re-enact a new Mental Health Act.
He said the Mental Health Bill 2023 would be discussed during the July Parliament session.
He said the Bill seeks to allow for mental healthcare, treatment and services to be provided to persons with mental illness and to protect and fulfil the rights of such persons during the delivery of mental healthcare, treatment and services.
Mental Health Board was established in accordance with the Mental Disorders Act of 1971 and the board members’ roles are stipulated under Sections 39 and 40 of the act.
In that regard, he said the board was expected to visit each institution where persons with mental disorders were admitted at least once every six months.
He further pointed out that the board would, from time to time or when called upon by the minister, make to the Director of Health Services such suggestions and observations as it deemed desirable regarding the welfare of patients in any institution or other place of detention, and shall in all cases report to the director the results of any visit or inspection made by it, further saying the board may advise the director as to any matter raised in a report submitted under Section 32 (1).
Dr Dikoloti appreciated the outgoing Mental Health Board members, saying they had served the board diligently over the years.
Giving an overview on the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Programme, the chief health officer Mr Patrick Zibochwa said it was important that mental health be integrated into general health services.
He further said psychiatrists should manage all other different mental health ailments among them schizophrenia, depression, and substance abuse, adding that the burden of mental health was standing at 57 042 patients in the country.
He said over 5 000 people were new clients while 38 000 were repeat mode of mental conditions.
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