KENYA — Kenya’s Ministry of Health has adopted the World Health Organization’s (WHO) quality rights initiative, with the aim of enhancing the quality of mental health care in the country.
Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, representing the State Department for Medical Services, emphasized that this initiative will usher in a significant shift, prioritizing human rights and fundamental freedoms as integral components of care.
Speaking at the World Mental Health Day event in Nairobi, Kimtai highlighted the profound impact this would have on addressing social justice issues and reducing the stigma and discrimination often associated with individuals facing mental health challenges.
Kimtai emphasized that the adoption of this initiative will bring the country closer to realizing its constitutional commitment to provide the highest attainable standards of health.
Additionally, the WHO’s initiative is expected to enhance community screening, early identification, referral processes, psychosocial rehabilitation, reintegration, and social inclusion, all of which play a crucial role in comprehensive mental health care.
The development of the quality rights’ toolkit is expected to bolster awareness of human rights and promote a change in attitudes by aligning with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Kimtai pointed out that the failure to address mental health-related concerns carries significant health and socioeconomic repercussions, affecting social capital, healthcare demands, and productivity, thereby impeding the nation’s progress toward its goals.
Statistics from the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights reveal that 25% of outpatients and 40% of inpatients suffer from mental health conditions.
Common diagnoses in general hospital settings include depression, substance abuse, stress, and anxiety disorders.
A recent World Health Organization report ranks Kenya as the fifth African country with the highest number of depression cases.
With an estimated one in four Kenyans affected by mental health issues, ranging from mild to severe disorders, it is evident that the country faces a substantial challenge in providing affordable and accessible mental health care.
Furthermore, Kenya stands out as one of the few nations not allocating a separate budget for mental health, with only a minuscule 0.01% of the total budget directed towards this critical area.
Consequently, there is a shortage of adequate facilities, as highlighted by the 2017 audit by the Auditor General, which revealed that 22 out of Kenya’s 47 counties lack psychiatric units.
This scarcity forces all patients in need of mental health care to be referred to Mathari National Hospital, the sole national facility specializing in mental health.
The culture of denial and silence surrounding mental health issues exacerbates the problem, often leading individuals to seek help from traditional healers or not seek help at all.
In Africa, prevailing stereotypes and superstitions regarding mental illness further perpetuate ignorance.
As a result, a significant proportion of those with severe mental health disorders across the continent lack access to the essential treatment they require.
This leads to a considerable burden of mental illness in terms of ill health, psychological disability, and premature mortality, all compounded by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonetheless, there is growing evidence that promoting mental well-being and preventing mental illness is feasible through evidence-based interventions.
These interventions can significantly improve outcomes for individuals grappling with a range of mental health conditions throughout their lives.
Kimtai called for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder approach to tackle the social determinants of mental health and strengthen mental health systems, including the introduction of legislation to safeguard human rights
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