High Court Judge, Edie Sikazwe, has praised Chinama Hills Hospital for the strides it is making in addressing challenges being faced by the mentally-retarded suspects referred to the hospital by the Zambia Prisons Service.
Judge Sikazwe said it is for this reason that Chinama Hills Hospital staff needs to be hailed for their tireless efforts they are making in discharging their duties professionally and in addressing matters of people with mental disabilities.
He said this today when the Human Rights Commission visited Chainama Hills Hospital to get first-hand information on the operation of the institution especially on addressing problems of patients with psychiatric problems in Lusaka today.
Judge Sikazwe said although the hospital is faced with so many challenges, it is doing its best to address issues surrounding mentally-retarded people.
And Judge Sikazwe has called for close collaboration between Chainama Hills Hospital, the Judiciary and the Zambia Prison Service in sorting out challenges of patients refereed to the hospital who are suspected to be mentally disturbed.
Judge Sikazwe stated that close working relationship among the three government institutions will go a long way in addressing mental cases of people suspected to be falling under Section 12 of the Criminal Procedure Code and evidence.
And speaking at the same tour, Human Rights Commission Director, Pixie Yangalilo, said the commission is focused to ensuring that rights of children, juveniles, metal challenges and any other human rights are protected.
Ms Yangalilo also hailed Chainama Hills Hospital for the well-done job in the area of treating mentally- retarded human beings at their facility.
She said the Judiciary also need a pat on the back for working closely with Chainama Hills Hospital, Zambia Prison Service and the Human Rights Commission.
Meanwhile, Chainama Hills College Principal, Chioni Siwo, said Chainama Hills Hospital is trying its best to address matters of people with mental disabilities although under difficulty situations.
Dr Siwo said it is important that the Human Rights Commission has joined the band wagon of addressing issues of people with mental disabilities being referred to Chainama Hills College.
She also alluded to the fact that Chainama Hills Hospital has an inadequate number of doctors which she said was one of the major challenges.
Please use terms/words that are user friendly not mentally retarded in this time and era. People with mental health problems are human beings with special needs, who when provided with appropriate services, care and support can lead a reasonably quality of life. Don’t blame you our Mental health Act has not changed from the one that was in place from colonial times.