Health ministry data shows the country needs 4,000 psychiatrists, 6,000 psychiatric nurses and 5,000 psychologists. ‘We have only 88 psychiatrists’
One in every four Kenyans has a mental disorder but they are not aware of it, Health CS Cleopa Mailu has said.
A study by psychiatrist David Ndetei also indicates that 20 to 40 per cent of all patients in primary health facilities have one or more mental disorders.
“When people visit health facilities, it is difficult to diagnose what they are suffering from, because the doctor is not able to point out why he or she is seeking treatment,” Mailu said.
He spoke during the launch of the country’s first Mental Health Policy.
Mailu said the numbers are alarming and effective measures should be put in place to ensure those who suffer from mental illness get treated.
“When I look at these statistics, I get scared because this is the burden of the disease in our country,” Mailu said.
Depression, substance abuse, stress and anxiety disorders are some of the common illnesses recorded in hospitals. Mailu said the ministry will look into ways of ensuring that those suffering from these conditions get second-generation drugs.
“We cannot continue to treat our patients with drugs that give them complications, yet there are better options in the market. These drugs will help the patients get well fast,” he said.
The Health ministry head of Substance Abuse and Management Dr Catherine Syengo Mutisya said the government needs to allocate at least five per cent of the healthcare budget to mental health. “Mental health only gets 0.1 per cent of the budgetary allocation. That amount is not enough,” she said.
Data from the Health ministry shows the country needs 4,000 psychiatrists, 6,000 psychiatric nurses and 5,000 psychologists. “The ministry does not have a single psychologist. We only have 88 psychiatrists, and 427 psychiatric nurses,” Mustisya said. She also urged insurance companies to cater to patients, with mental conditions as the treatment is quite expensive.
Mental illness a ‘taboo topic’
Mental health diagnosis and treatment in Kenya remains a challenge for lack of government data. It is a taboo topic with lots of myths about the causes of mental illness. The main cause is believed to be witchcraft. Studies show schizophrenia and bipolar are the main conditions affecting adults. Children mainly suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, alcohol and drug abuse.
A 2013 study indicated that 40 per cent suffer a mental condition but are unaware of it.