Health Stakeholders push for acceptance of mental victims

Woman mental health concept. Vector illustration.

Stakeholders in the health sector are pushing for the abolishment of various sections of the law to boost fight against mental health problems.

It is argued that Section 226 of the penal code says any person 'who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanour' and may be imprisoned and/or fined.

The stakeholders included Red Cross, Ministry of health, Amref Africa, Civil Society Organizations, United Nations High Commissioner of Refugee and Mathare Teaching, Referral Hospital and Kenya Medical Training College.

They said this during the celebrations of World Mental Health Day at the Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital in Nairobi.

This as it emerged that persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities arrested for attempted suicide have been detained at Mathari Mental Hospital without trial for prolonged periods, exceeding the penalty for the offence under the Penal Code.

The stakeholders appealed to Nairobi County women member of the National Assembly Esther Passaris to support the petition to expunge the section.

Passaris said she will support the bill to amend the section of penal code as a move to give medical officers power to handle mental challenges.

According to Mathari Board Chair Prof Lukoye Atwoli, criminalizing mental health signs is elbowing the effects to reduce the increasing cases of victims.

"It is time we stop criminalizing mental health issues, the judges only have fine, imprisonment as a treatment but people are affected. They need guiding and proper medical support," said Prof Atwoli.

Prof Atwoli said that the plan to have all victims of mental health on board is active but they suffer financial constraints to survey and identify the patients.

"We need around Sh80 million to carry out the survey and identify those suffering so that we can avail them proper health care,'' said Prof Atwoli.

Principal Secretary for health Harry Kimutai said that the government is committed to the fight against mental issues and that it will mobilise resources to finance the task force.

He added that the 100 thousand Community Health Promoters will also be trained to aid the counselling and guidance at the village level.

"We agree that there are challenges but the government will provide resources to the mental health task force and we shall ensure good working between Counties and National government," said Kimutai.

The Country Director Amref Meshack Katari appealed for the ramping up of resources to facilitate training of mental health officers and to purchase medicine and equipment.

"The resources are insufficient and at the same time the number of mental health officers is less compared to increasing cases,'' said Katari

Stakeholders also want mental health services offered in every health center as out - patient services to help those at the villages.