October 15, 2021
BY PROBLYN J. ALPHA
The World Health Organization (WHO) report on mental Illness has revealed that, out of ten percentages of people are living with mental impairedess and in the world only two percent have access to mental health services.
This is according to the Koidu Government Hospital mental Health Unit Manager Mr. Conani.
He made the statement when delivering his keynote address during this year’s world mental Health day celebration at a ceremony held at the Koidu Government Hospital mental Health Unit, on the “Theme Mental Health in an Unequal World”
According to Mr. Conani, Mental Health can affect anyone, as mental health is like any other illness.
The Medical Superintendent attached to the Koidu Government Hospital Dr. Daniel Lavalie said; each year on 10th October, the World Health Day is observed with the aims of raising awareness on mental health issues around the world and to galvanize efforts in support of mental health to also provide opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues and to talk about their work and what more is needed to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
On behalf of the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Dr. Daniel Lavalie commended the management of partners In Health (PIH) for their unflinching support towards the smooth operations of the mental Health Unit and the Koidu Government Hospital as a whole describing their interventions as timely and a step in the right direction.
As everyone is prone to mental illness. Dr. Lavalie urged all and sundry especially those whose relatives are mentally impaired not to neglect them. But to care for them by taking them to the mental Health Unit for free treatment.
On his part, the newly appointed deputy Chairman of the Kono District Council, Councillor Ibrahim Foryoh of Ward 076 in Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District commended staff of the aforesaid mental Health Unit for their tireless efforts in restoring the dignity of mentally impaired people in the district.
He further pledged his Council’s continual support to them in ensuring that there is effective and efficient operations of the Unit and the entire health sector in the district.