The House of Representatives Committee on Specialty Healthcare has called for stakeholders’ partnership for the delivery of special healthcare to all Nigerians.
The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Alex Egbona (APC- Cross River) made the call at a roundtable of stakeholders in Abuja.
He said that the creation of the committee was in line with commitment of the house to provide the requisite legislative frameworks for improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
According to him, the mandate of the committee comprises ensuring effective legislative oversight in the health sector and to give maximum attention to specialised health institutions in the country.
The chairman said that the institutions includes the neuro-psychiatric hospitals, orthopaedic hospitals, obstetrics fistula centres, blood transfusion services, eye and ear care hospitals.
Others are dental and oral health programmes and institutions, traditional, complementary and alternative medicine.
“I therefore solicit the support and partnership of all stakeholders, our development partners, international NGOs, and CSOs, you are all urged to take interest in building the capacity of the ommittee members and staff to enhance the efficacy of the committee.
“Consider our thematic area of mental health, trauma and obstetrics fistula, oral health and blood transfusion and management, traditional, complementary and alternative medicine and engage the committee for maximum impact, he said.
Also speaking, a member of the committee, Rep. Alex Ikwechegh (APGA-Abia) said mental health is a huge problem in Nigeria and was mainly caused by trauma and hardship.
According to him, it is regrettable that not much has been done to address the problem in the country.
He said that every paramilitary in this country should undergo some type of mental evaluation at least once a year to ascertain their state of mind.
“With the level of deprivation and hardship in the country and when one is not able to pay rent, and take care of basic needs it could drive a man crazy. This is why we are recording the number of deaths in the country by men that have children.
“It is important for one to be sane before one can actually think straight and generate revenue and add value to his country of origin.
“Therefore I would like to use this opportunity to state categorically that we members of this committee would do everything within our power to provide any form of assistance to required to help solve exhaustively the mental problem that out dear resilient citizens of this country are having,” he said.
The founder, Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative, Mr Ameh Abba, said mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, and its significance cannot be overstated.
Abba expressed his gratitude for the committee’s dedication and commitment to prioritising mental health awareness in legislative discussions.
He said that HIV/AIDS and other related diseases cannot be effectively defeated if the fight for mental health is not integrated.
“Poor mental health cuts across health systems; people with mental health conditions are at increased risk of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB); these endemics will never be ended without investment in, and integration of mental health.
“To manage such challenges, mental health services should be embedded in primary healthcare, normalising and maximising access. universal healthcare is incomplete without mental health,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to strive to cultivate an environment of compassion, support, and inclusivity where individuals feel empowered to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination.
According to him, together we have the power to make a meaningful difference and pave the way for a future where mental health is prioritized, valued, and treated with the same importance as physical health. (NAN)