The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo has urged relatives of people with Mental Health Challenges to avail themselves with the services of the fully renovated and equipped Neuropsychiatric Hospital, at Rumuigbo, in Obio/ Akpo Local Government Area of the State.
Commemorating this year’s World Mental Health Day, with the theme; “Mental Health in an unequal World”, Banigo who gave this advice in a message from the Government House in Port Harcourt, said the Rivers State Government under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike, is committed to the mental health of Rivers people.
She stressed that the Wike led administration’s commitment to the reduction of the disease and its burden on Rivers People is holistic, Reiterating that with the renovation of the hospital, the services and care for patients has improved significantly.
According to the Public Health Physician “before now, patients received treatment in dilapidated structures, but with the state of the art facilities in place, we have enough doctors, consultants, resident doctors, nurses, as well as bed spaces for in and out patient care”.
Dr. Banigo said instead of patronizing native doctors and spiritual homes, people with mental health challenges should go and get expert care at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital. Noting that an emergency unit that runs for 24 hours with a functional laboratory has been setup at the facility.
She frowned at the stigmatization of people with mental health challenges, adding that they need love and support to cope with their challenge.
World Mental Health day is celebrated annually every October 10, with the aim to address issues related to mental health challenges.
