The Nigerian Medical Association has decried lack of policy on depression in the country.
peaking on Friday at the commemoration of World Health Day,which has the theme,”Depression:Let’s talk’ Mike Ogirima,the NMA President the medical body is worried that Nigeria does not have a workable mental policy,adding that a national strategy to address mental health problems in Nigeria by government’s at all levels is needed,with emphasis on prevention.
This, according to the medical boss will ensure that people suffering from depression are easily identified and subsequently attended to.
Ogirima said that about .4.2% of Nigerian Population suffer depression’.
Coming at a time that the country is witnessing mass suicidal incidences, some analysts say the time has come for Nigeria to come out with a policy to contain the menace
He said recent incident in Lagos must draw people’s attention to the fact that there are many other who commit suicide and die unnoticed.
He, however noted that the NMA as part of its corporate responsibility to the mental health community and the society at large,the Nigerian Medical Association will work closely with the National Assembly to pass a comprehensive bill on Medical Health in Nigeria.”
Speaking further on stigmatising and neglect often suffered by mentally ill people,the NMA President decried the institutional and structural practices that tend to promote stigma and hiding of depression.
According to him,”One of the major raod blocks towards a full recovery and integration of people with depression is the tendency to stigmatise depression and those who suffer from it.
