By Oyeniyi Esan
Oyo State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, on Friday, held public hearing on Oyo State Mental Health Bill, 2022, as a bid to enhance the medical security of persons with mental conditions across the state.
Speaking during the public hearing at House of Chiefs Parliament, Chairman of the committee on health, Hon. Rilwan Gbadamosi Saminu, said that the bill aims to address the increasing rate of mental health challenges ravaging our society, and this necessitated the public hearing geared towards receiving various recommendations and inputs from all stakeholders.
According to his opening remarks, “One of the major indexes of living a stable life is individual choices which can be attributed to the mental health condition of individuals. In other words, wrong choices have negative effect on the mental stability of individuals.
“Our society is plagued with vary mental health challenges which are critical to the survival of families. Societal perception of individuals with mental health challenges is negative and ought to be corrected. This category of people are to be provides with quality medical treatment , not to be stigmatized and should live decently within the larger society.
“Government at all levels should put measures in place to uphold the fundamental human right of people with mental health challenges. It is in furtherance of this that the Rt Hon Speaker , some Members and my humble self sponsored this important Bill that holistically takes care of mental health, diagonise, treat, prescribes servicing, funding and protection of mental health patients.The objective of the Bill is to address the establishment of mental health facilities among others.”
The Commissioner For Health, Dr. Oladipo while speaking highlighted some challenges posed to the society as a result of pervading cases of mental health. He attributed the growing trajectory to stress usually caused by the economic hardship and insecurity Nigerians are battling with. He recommended that inclusivity should be prioritized while selecting the members of the steering committee.
The representative of Nigerian Medical Association commended the House of Assembly for the laudable bill. He therefore emphasized that it’s members should be included in the steering committee.
The representative of Oyo State Commissioner of Police while speaking claimed that efforts should be geared towards awareness against stigmatization of people suffering mental health issues and that person with mental health in any work place should rather be helped and rehabilitated rather than passing hasty dismissal judgement on the person.
The representative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) spoke on some steps taken by its agency in nibbing the menace of drug abuse in the bud so as to drastically reduce the challenges of mental health in the society.
Other experts who spoke at the event agreed on adequate funding to health care system, and that sensitization and public enlightenment should be at the top gear.
Among the personalities who graced the occasion were honourables Akeem Adedibu, Owolabi, Femi Julius, Hon. Akintunde AKT, representatives of Nigerian Medical Association, Red Cross Society, heads of parastatals, clinical psychologists and other medical experts.