Health Ministry Supports Survey On Mental Health

The Ministry of Health is supporting a survey to assess mental health systems in the country, using a method developed by WHO, known as WHO-AIMS. In a speech, the Minister of Health, Alban Sumani Bagbin, lauded the project, and the direction in which mental healthcare delivery is proceeding in the country, after a long period neglect. Mr. Bagbin made these pronouncements at the Stakeholder�s Meeting of WHO-AIMS Survey Ghana, held in Accra today. He said that government is concerned about the mentally ill in the country, and it is for this reason that the President visited the psychiatric hospitals, ensured the enhancement of the various systems used in the psychiatric institutions and the presentation of the mental Health Bill to parliament. The Minister disclosed that a new course has been introduced at the Kintampo College of Health to produce Community Health Officers. He mentioned that the first batch of 100 have already been deployed at various health facilities, particularly in the sub-districts. The College of Health, the Minister further stated, is also producing Medical Assistants in Psychiatry (MAP) who are going to be key mental health practitioners in the Regions and the Districts. The founder of the Kintampo Project and Project leader in the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Mark Roberts, noted that the survey will provide baseline planning information and also elicit deficiencies in the mental health delivery in the country. He said the survey would also help develop services that will be appropriate for the country�s position as a middle income country, and serve as guide in the implementation of the Mental Health Act. Dr. Roberts stated that the survey will significantly contribute to improve mental health outcomes in Ghana.