Shortage of Psychiatric drugs in UE - Patients afraid of relapse

Bolgatanga, May 24, GNA - Mental Health Associations in the Upper East Region have appealed to the Ghana Health Service, to improve the supply of Mental Health drugs to the various Psychiatric Units in the area, to enable patients get a regular supply.

They complained that except the epileptic patients who had some of their drugs, the rest of them had not been given medications for some time, because the psychiatric units in the hospitals that used to prescribe and dispense the drugs on regular basis, did not have the medications to do so. Members of the Associations in the Bongo, Bolgatanga and Talensi-Nabdam Districts, who met in Bolgatanga to discuss their problems and plan their activities, said it was crucial that they got regular supply of the medications because without the drugs they relapse and often suffer fresh afflictions.

This, they said, affected their work and businesses as they lose track of their responsibilities when they relapse and those in business lose their capital, while those of them who farm could lose their crops due to negligence.

The Mental Health patients also appealed to the public not to discriminate against them as they live normal lives like anyone else when they take their drugs regularly.

They also urged school teachers and students not to be afraid of epileptic patients especially during attacks, but rather help them to recover and continue with classes.

Mr. Jacob Atanga Abonbire and Abubakari Atanga, Secretaries of the Bongo and Bolgatanga Municipal Associations, explained that their Associations were under the Mental Health Society of Ghana. They said with help from PRIDE-Ghana, an NGO, the various district associations of Mental Health patients, meet regularly and pay visits to their colleague who need help in the form of counselling. They explained that some of the patients sometimes refuse to take drugs from people who were close to them, but cooperate with members of the associations who go on visits.

Mr. Peter Akawige of the Psychiatric Unit, Bolgatanga Hospital, appealed that people suffering from mental health problems be registered for Health Insurance, as most of the Psychiatric patients were poor and could not afford to pay for health services or buy drugs, when they are suffering from other illnesses.

He said at times when there is acute shortage of Psychiatric drugs in the hospitals, patients are given prescriptions to buy from private pharmacies, but they either do not get the drugs or cannot afford. He noted with regret that due to stigmatization, some patients do not want to go to the hospital for treatment, and said even though provision had been made for health personnel to visit patients at home and give treatment, the personnel were not many enough.

Mr. Akawige therefore urged the public not to stigmatize mental health patients, but give them support and encourage them to seek treatment. There are over 4,935 mentally ill persons including epileptics in the region.

Mr. Richard Adongo, acting Coordinator for the Regional Alliance for Mental Health and Development, said they were engaged in creating awareness about mental health, forming groups, and training them in leadership roles, and record keeping.

Mr. Adongo appealed to district assemblies to integrate Mental Health into their medium term development plans, so as to assist the mental health patients with regular medication, to enable them support themselves and their families. 25 May 10