Kenya and Europe have partnered to build a national mental health facility that is projected to be the cornerstone of mental health reforms in the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, revealed that the Kenya government is collaborating with Group San Donato, the largest hospital group in Europe to come up with the facility that will be the focal point and driver in organising the new national mental care model.
The mental health centre of excellence will also double up as a national education and training hub for mental health, providing specialised post-graduate and professional training for multiple professional specialisations and disciplines in mental health.
Responding to questions by Senator Sylvia Kasanga and Senator Isaac Mwaura on the state of mental health in the country in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the CS said the country is now better positioned to deal with the challenge.
The country has witnessed a rise in the number of mental disorders in recent years with statistics indicating that approximately 20-25 per cent of outpatients seeking primary healthcare presents symptoms of mental illness.
A taskforce on mental health, which was inaugurated in December 2019, recommended a raft of measures including declaring mental health a national emergency as well as the establishment of a mental health commission and happiness, to advise, coordinate and continuously monitor the status of mental health and report on the annual National Happiness Index.
The ministry of health has already developed a mental health policy (2015-2030) as well as unveiling the quality rights initiative that seeks to improve access to quality mental health services and promote the rights of people with mental health conditions as the country seeks to address the burden of mental health conditions.
