MTRH, SIX OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION CALL FOR END TO STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES
 Friday, 30 October ,2009, 14:36

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital joined activists worldwide to mark world mental health day which is celebrated each year to raise public awareness on

mental health issues, to promote more open discussion of illnesses, and investments in prevention and treatment services.

WHO statistics for 2002 show that 154 million people globally suffer from depression, Mental, neurological and behavioral disorders are common in all countries around the world, causing immense suffering and staggering economic and social costs. People with disorders are often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and higher death rates.

Support for mental health care is often a secondary priority in Africa, where nations have more urgent health problems to deal with from infectious diseases. As a result, millions suffer needlessly from disorders that are manageable. There are many effective treatments for a wide variety of mental disorders. Unless there are efforts to get these to those in need of them, we will continue to watch productive lives wasted.

As a leader in healthcare provision in western Kenya Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital recognizes the need to de-stigmatize mental illnesses. The Hospital staged a procession around Eldoret town to the Hospital grounds where invited guests who include Hospital psychiatrists highlighted on the ailment.

Four rehabilitated mental patients who recounted how their lives were almost wrecked by addiction to drugs also addressed the gathering. They emphasized how addiction to drugs can damage human brains and render one incapacitated. Through the speeches, it was evident that Stigma plays a major role in the willingness of most people to admit to mental illness in the family and seek help. Such scenarios are the driving force to the calls we hear all over to help the mentally challenged.

While giving his keynote address to the congregation at the Hospital grounds, Assistant Deputy Director Clinicial Services Dr. Wilson Aruasa who was representing the Hospital Director said, statistics show that a quarter of world population suffer from  mental illnesses.Of all patients visiting Out-patient clinics,30% exhibit symptoms of mental ill health.

On the role of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, he said that the management has forwarded a funds proposal sourcing for $3.7 million dollar from its partners to support the building for a Hospital for managing mental illnesses. He also added that the best management of mental illnesses should be taken to the communities where many mental cases are found.

Other speakers at the event were Assistant Deputy Director Finance and Administration Ms. Lily Koros Hospital Psychiatrists who included Dr. Lukoye Atwoli, Dr. Dan Gaginya who was the chief guest and Dr. Chris Kinyanjui. Other were and Eldoret East DC Mr. Charlse Mukele.
The climax of the event was marked with the guests led by ADDCS Dr. Wilson Aruasa presenting gifts to mentally ill patients at the Hospital’s mental ward.

A number of organizations who joined the Hospital in de-stigmatizing mental illness are NSSF, Ukwala Supermarket, Paul’s Bakery, AMPATH programme Rivatex and Intas pharmaceuticals of Nairobi.