The number of Nigerians with psychiatric issues is
escalating, the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARDs) said on
Monday.
According to Dr Roland Aigbovo, the Chairman of the Abuja
chapter, made this observation at a news conference to herald the association’s
2019 Annual Health Week and General Meeting/Scientific Conference.
Aigbovo did not give
statistics to underscore the rising medical problem. However, the doctors
consider the issue germane for their attention as it forms the theme of their
2019 Annual Health Week. It is titled: “Neglect of Mental Health: A Threat to
the Society”.
He said there is an urgent need to address mental health
issues in the country. He explained that the mental health situation is further
worsened by non-availability of medicines, absence of mental health services at
the primary healthcare level and other services. He listed other services to
include: counselling, housing and support groups.
He said that mental
health issues require immediate action, especially with recent spike in
suicides in the country. Also to be
discussed, Aigbovo said are sub-themes, such as current management of clinical
depression, physicians’ burnout and its implication on healthcare delivery.
“We also want to draw the attention of both government and
the public to another important but hugely ignored aspect of healthcare
services, which is physicians’ burnout.
Our duties as physicians put us at risk of varying health
challenges ranging from hypertension, anxiety, psychosis, drug and substance
abuse and ultimately suicide.
“We are made to attend to varying number of patients on a
daily basis and work for over 24 hours straight in many instances.”
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