A senior government official in Kasama has urged residents to refrain from discriminating people living with mental illnesses.
Kasama District Commissioner Kelly Kashiwa observed that patients with mental diseases need care and support from members of the public for them to manage their condition.
Mr. Kashiwa said government has shown its commitment towards the mentally challenged people by approving the mental health policy which aims at making mental health service delivery easy and affordable.
He said this in a speech read on his behalf by Kasama District Administrative Officer Beauty Namukoko during the commemoration of mental health day at the weekend.
He has since urged health providers and the community to provide first aid to mental health patients in order to prevent premature deaths.
Mr. Kashiwa further said people suffering from mental illnesses should be integrated into society as part of their recovery process.
And speaking at the same occasion, acting Kasama general hospital medical superintendent Martha Mukonka said the health institution has made significant progress in rehabilitating mental health patients.
Dr. Mukonka added that staffing levels at the health institution have increased for both nurses and clinical officers.
She however bemoaned inadequate bed spaces for mental health patients at Kasama general hospital resulting in overcrowding at the institution.
This year’s mental health day was held under the theme, ‘dignity in mental health-psychological mental health aid’.
In other words don’t discriminate against lungu because he is a mad president
Chilipa muzako mailo chilipali iwe
Lungu got stung by bees and now he doesn’t think he can join in prayers. do not discriminate on Lungu
Mugabe and Lungu both failed to attend COMESA Summit. They were in hospital