MINISTER CALLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Ms. Doreen Mwamba has called for concerted efforts to address  mental health issues across the country.

The Minister is saddened to note that mental health issues have continued to be  silent killers,while  little  attention is given to them.

Speaking during a cleaning exercise of ward E and F at Chainama Hospital, ahead of the  commemoration of International Day For Persons with Disabilities,Ms. Mwamba said  people are dealing with many societal issues such as poverty, joblessness and breakdown of family unions , adding that such leads to mental health problems which requires support.

The International Day For Persons with Disabilities will be commemorated on 3rd December 2022, under the theme “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development:The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World”.

She said the theme is timely, and a reminder on the need to take care of each other’s mental health.

Ms. Mwamba however assured that the New Dawn Administration, despite being concerned with the matter, is doing everything possible to protect people who are mentally disabled.

Ms. Mwamba further sounded a warning to people in the habit of abusing individuals who are in need of crucial support to enhance their mental wellbeing, adding that serious sanctions under the law will be applied in order to safeguard and uphold rights of mental patients.

“I call upon society to desist from actions that impact negatively on persons  with psychosocial disability” Ms. Mwamba said with a call to ensure the country’s development agenda includes people with mental disabilities.

And Chainama Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent, Dr Margaret Chibowa appreciated government for the attention it continues to give to the facility, moreso, to mental patients.

She said the facility requires a lot of support in many areas in order to accord mental patients an atmosphere were they can find love and healing.