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Zomba, October 11: Minister of Heath Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has called for serious investment in mental health saying trauma and stresses that people go through in their daily lives deserves serious medical attention.
She made the remarks at the commemoration of Mental Health Day at Zomba Mental Hospital where the mental health facility also commemorated 50 years of providing psychiatric services.
Chiponda also observed that cases of mental health have increased tremendously for the past few years due to a number of factors.
“We have not invested much on mental health and going around the country one will see that we don’t have enough mental facilities. Time has come for us to have mental health facilities in all the regions,” the minister said, adding that this should be another area to priortise.
She noted that mental health was escalating due to the coming in of social media platforms and other electronic products that have pushed people to consume more stressful materials and appealed to Malawians not to hide issues but rather speak out to avoid stress that could easily lead to mental health problems.
Chiponda commended Zomba Mental Hospital for being central in providing mental health services for many years.
World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo acknowledged the need for the country to invest in mental issues, saying there is more evidence that Malawi has not done much despite having rising cases of mental health.
Dr. Kimambo said WHO is committed through various ways and means to support Malawi government’s efforts in investing in mental health.
Reported by Solister Mogha
