Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE government has pledged to give special consideration to mental health issues in the upcoming national health policy.
The assurance was given by the Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Godwin Mollel, in the National Assembly yesterday while responding to a question from Special Seats MP, Ms Stella Ikupa (CCM).
The MP had asked about the government’s strategy for providing free medication to mental health patients.
Dr Mollel expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their continued follow-up on the matter, inviting their input to ensure that the forthcoming health policy adequately addresses mental health concerns.
“The government’s strategy for providing health services follows the 2007 Health Policy, Chapter 5, Part 4, Articles 1 to 3, which outlines various approaches for community involvement, cost-sharing and exemptions in the provision of health services,” Dr Mollel said.
According to the deputy minister, the policy allows for medical treatment exemptions for patients with chronic conditions, including mental health disorders, based on the financial capacity of the patients or their caregivers.
He explained that this is facilitated through systems involving hospital social welfare officers and local government officials from the patient’s area of residence.
Dr Mollel urged caregivers of patients who cannot afford medication to work closely with local government officials for support.
He further stated that the government is committed to ensuring that people with mental health challenges can access healthcare. In the current financial year alone, the government has purchased medicines worth 1.72bn/- for Mirembe National Mental Hospital located in Dodoma region.
Additionally, he said that medications valued at 800m/- have been provided to patients who could not afford to
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