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BasicNeeds, an NGO, has supported 70 mental and epileptic patients from seven districts of the Northern Region with tools after making assessment of their needs and interest to make them economically independent and active. The equipment include 38 hand-sewing machines, 19 foot-sewing machines, carpentry tools, three weaving looms, two hair-dryers, two auto-repair tools and one tie and die material with their accessories. Mr. Peter Yaro, the Country Programme Manager of BasicNeeds, made the presentation to the beneficiaries in Tamale on Thursday and funding was by the European Union. He said the package was meant for the numerous mental and epileptic patients who have shown a remarkable improvement in their health and longed to do something for themselves. Mr. Yaro said the package would also reduce the high unemployment, adding that "Over 2,300 beneficiaries have so far been provided with tools and equipments in four regions". He appealed to the government and other development partners to assist mental patients. The outgoing Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Steven Sumani Nayina, in a speech read for him commended BasicNeeds for venturing into the care of mental and epileptic patients care, an area most NGOs might not want to be.