Rivers State Deputy Governor, (Dr) (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has urged relatives of people with Mental Health Challenges to avail themselves with the services of the fully renovated and equipped Neuropsychiatric Hospital, in Rumuigbo.
Dr. Banigo gave this advice in a message from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Saturday 9th October, 2021 to commemorate the Year 2021 World Mental Health Day.
The Deputy Governor who said the Rivers State Government under the watch of Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike’s commitment to reduce the disease burden of the Rivers People is holistic, added that with the renovation the services in the Hospital and care for patients has improved significantly.
According to the Public Health Physician “before now, patients received treatment in dilapidated structures, but with the state of the art facilities in place, we have enough doctors, consultants, resident doctors, nurses, as well as bed spaces for in and out patient care”.
Dr. Banigo said instead of patronizing native doctors and spiritual homes, people with mental health challenges should go and get expert care at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, stressing that an emergency unit that runs for 24 hours with a functional laboratory has been setup at the facility.
She frowned against the stigmatization of people with mental health challenges, adding that they need our love and support to cope with their challenge.
The 10th of October each year has been set aside to commemorate the World Mental Health Day.
The theme for this year’s Celebration is “Mental Health in an unequal World”.
