The Federal Government has called on state governments to domesticate the Mental Health Act within their respective health sectors to enhance mental healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

Minister of State for Health and Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made this appeal during a town hall meeting at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has prioritized healthcare, as reflected in the passage of the Mental Health Act, which provides a robust framework for safeguarding Nigerians’ mental well-being.

 “The government of President Bola Tinubu has particularly prioritized the health sector. The Mental Health Act has been passed, providing a more comprehensive framework for ensuring the mental health of Nigerians is secured. We have already put together a mechanism at the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure the implementation of the Act,” Salako stated.

He specifically urged the Ogun State Ministry of Health, through Commissioner for Health, Hon. Tomi Coker, to expedite the adoption of the Act at the state level. “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the state, through the Commissioner for Health, to domesticate this Mental Health Act. The Act provides for a mental health assessment committee, and for us to be able to activate these committees at the state level, domestication of the Act is very important. Let us work quickly and see how we can implement this law in Ogun State,” he added.

 Salako also addressed the broader challenges in the health sector, particularly the shortage of medical personnel exacerbated by the “Japa” syndrome—the mass emigration of healthcare workers. He acknowledged that human resource constraints remain a major challenge, but assured that the government is implementing strategic measures to mitigate the crisis.

 “If you reflect on the challenges of the health sector in Nigeria, the number one challenge is human resources for health, which is now worsened by the Japa syndrome. Medical practitioners are leaving the country, and this is affecting the health sector, especially mental health. We are not oblivious to this challenge, and we have put together a very robust mechanism to address it.

 “We are expanding our capacity to train health workers, and we are also engaging Nigerian health professionals in the diaspora. We are having a structured engagement with Nigerian health workers in the UK, US, and Ireland. Even if they are not physically present, we can still harness their contributions to the health sector in Nigeria,” he said.

Salako disclosed that President Tinubu has granted a special waiver for the recruitment of more healthcare workers than any other sector, underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing the workforce crisis. “These are the mechanisms we are putting in place to ensure we tackle the challenges in the health sector. Another challenge, of course, is funding. However, since President Tinubu assumed office, the allocation of funds to the health sector has increased,” he noted.

In response, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Tomi Coker, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and pledged that Ogun would domesticate the Mental Health Act.

 “Ogun State will domesticate the Mental Health Act. This Act is crucial in addressing the growing number of mental health disorders worldwide, including in Nigeria. The nearest healthcare facility to the people is the primary healthcare system, which serves as the first point of contact for patients and citizens. This will involve training health workers at the primary health level, upgrading health facilities, and establishing referral centers,” Coker stated.

She highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the Federal Government and Ogun State in the health sector, citing past efforts to upgrade medical facilities, including the B and C Mug Centers, as well as the establishment of tertiary referral institutions such as the Aro Neuropsychiatric Hospital and the Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta.

“This partnership is essential in ensuring that citizens have access to quality mental health services, particularly in rural areas. By working together, the Federal Government and Ogun State can address the growing mental health needs of the population and provide a safer and healthier environment for all,” she added.

 Earlier, the Provost and Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Paul Agboola, expressed the hospital’s readiness to partner with the state government to implement the Mental Health Act.

 “It’s a great joy for us that the Minister is visiting the hospital. We are seeking collaboration from the Ministry of Health on the implementation of the Mental Health Act. We want to work with the state government to domesticate the Act in Ogun State. I have spoken with the Health Commissioner, and she is ready for the domestication,” Agboola said.