Cases of mentally sick Rwandans are currently on high rapid increase, statistics from Centre Neuropsychiatrique de Ndera (CNPN) in Ndera Sector, Gasabo District have suggested.
Statistics indicate that in 2006 the hospital received 20,124 cases, then 25,830 cases in 2007, while mental cases increased to 31,125 in 2008 and 36,396 cases in 2010.
Unfortunately no tangible reasons that have been recorded as the Ministry is said to have not carried out any study to determine the factors leading to the increase of mental cases.
This has been revealed in a press conference held at the Ministry of Health Offices in Kicukiro District.
Press conference was aimed at briefing the press about the Rwanda’s joining the rest of the world to celebrate World Mental Health Day which is celebrated every October 10 annually but Rwanda will celebrate it October 27.
Doctor Yvonne Kayiteshonga the Director of Mental Health Department in the Ministry of Health said that 40% of the world countries don’t have stable policies towards mental health.
“ 40% of the world’s countries don’t have stable Mental Health policies an indication that they don’t have stable policies and that is the essence for any country to reintegrate the mentally sick in normal life.” Kayiteshonga said.
Kayiteshonga commended government efforts to promote mental health countrywide whereby out of 43 District hospitals 40 hospitals are equipped with well trained doctors and personnel to deal with mental sickness.
World Mental Health Day, is annually held on October 10th to raise public awareness about mental health issues worldwide.
This event promotes open discussions on illnesses, as well as investments in prevention and treatment services in mental health.
This year’s world mental health day theme is “The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health”.
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