Mental patients chained and tortured at prayer camps - Dr Akwasi Osei

Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority Dr Akwasi Osei, has observed that mental patients in the country continue to be subjected to all forms of inhumane treatment without recourse to their conditions.

He expressed worry over the disturbing development where these patients are confined to ‘prayer camps’ and tortured under the guise of dispossessing them of evil spirits.

“Their fundamental human rights are abused at these prayer camps where some are even chained, starved and whipped. It will shock you to know that some of them are sometimes chained and left under the mercy of the bad weather”, he stated.

According to him on the Ultimate Breakfast Show, the dehumanizing and degrading conditions under which these patients are subjected to, is very disturbing stating that it smacks of a violation of their rights.

The Chief Psychiatrist revealed that the three northern regions are challenged in mental care expressing hope that when the mental health bill is implemented, it will change the present status quo.

“Mental health care is worse in the north a reflection of neglect by successive governments. The northern part of the country are more deprived in mental health care and that is the reason we need adhoc solutions or systemic solutions to reverse this trend. Government also needs to put up facilities to cater for mental health patients”, he added.