Ministry of Health Mental Officer John Mayeya said his office has submitted the Bill to the Ministry of Justice for presentation to parliament.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr. Mayeya said the Ministry of Health has completed evaluating the merits and demerits of the proposed bill.
The Mental Health Bill is a Bill that covers issues of dignity for persons with mental disabilities to more human based status.
And when asked to comment on discrimination against people with mental illnesses, Mr. Mayeya said people with mental illness should be accepted and considered as members of society.
Meanwhile, Mental Health Users Network of Zambia (MHUNZA) Chief Executive officer Sylvester Katonka said Mental illness is an illness like any other sickness and should be treated like one.
Mr. Katonka said people with mental issues should not be looked at as hopeless, useless and unproductive but should be involved in areas of education, work and being part of the community.
He said people with such an illness should not be stigmatized as this pushes them to the edge were they suffer more to a point of not seeing any hope in life.
Mr. Katonka has further advised that people with Mental Health should be taken to Chainama Hospital to receive treatment, recover and get back to society.
He called on the media to come onboard and highlight issues on mental Health in order to help fight discrimination against persons with mental illness.
I hope it covers Mental health issues regarding our leaders. It is not a sign of mental health when a leader is accused of stealing and corruption but cannot respond to such serious allegations. It’s a sign of mental problem when a leader cannot address his own people even in times of crisis like Cholera outbreak, debt crisis, etc. Why are people in our health systems not voicing out this concern. In America, Psychologists have come out and analyzed the mental condition of Trump and have explained to the people why he behaves in such a manner. At least American people have an idea why he says the things he says. Every country deserve to know the mental capacity of it’s leader.
Yes mental patients at PF Secretariat needs help.
YAH HH needs a mental Test , how dare does he block the most powerfull president in AFRICA , ECL motorcade? hmm.. Better he is taken to CHAINAMA