Psychiatric Units Needed In Districts

By Stephen Kwabena Effah, Kintampo
Monday, 08 January 2007 (Page 3)

A CLINICAL psychologist at the Kintampo Health Research Centre, Bright Akpalu, has advocated the establishment of psychiatric units in all districts to deal effectively with psychiatry cases.

He observed that lack of such units in the districts makes people take patients with mental problems to prayer camps which worsens their condition.

Speaking to the Times during a visit to the centre by a group of journalists, he said that sometimes when people with mental problems are taken to prayer camps they are subjected to human rights abuses including being chained and beaten.

The journalists from the Africa Media and Malaria Research Network were at the centre to assess the progress of the ongoing malaria vaccine trials in the district.

Mr Akpalu said it is proper to see a doctor immediately one sees a symptom of mental problem since some mental problems can be managed initially."

He noted that the Wenchi, Kintampo, and Tain districts have no mental health personnel to handle reported mental cases in those areas, although a research on schizophrenia conducted by the centre last year in the areas showed a high rate of mental disorders.

He attributed the disorders to genetic disposition, the use of marijuana, and depression.
Depression, he said, is one of the leading causes of psychiatric cases in Ghana which many people do not consider as a mental disorder.

He, therefore, advised those who find themselves in such situations to seek early medical attention. He also advised against the use of the alcoholic "bitters" and other forms of drugs as sexual stimulants, saying "It is a misconception about sex.

The 20-month malaria vaccine trial which is in its second phase started in September in Kintampo and Agogo by the Kintampo Health Research Centre and the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research.

Ghana was selected among six other African countries for the trial which was developed by the Glaxo-Smithkline Biologicals in Belgium.

The vaccine is being tried on 540 children in Ghana aged between five and 17 months.