Alcohol and drug abuse lead in causing mental illness- Butabika Boss

Kampala: The executive director for Butabika hospital Dr. David Basangwa has revealed that drugs and alcohol abuse, cerebral Malaria, Psychological Trauma from accidents and kidnaps is among the leading Causes of Mental illness in Uganda.

In monthly media breakfast meeting held under theme “Embracing prevention: The status of Mental Health in Uganda” Dr. Basangwa said young people fancy smoking shisha, weed and the sundry of catastrophic drugs that negatively influence their thinking and reasoning capacity has greatly contributed to metal illness among youth.

“Government has adequately invested in training of health workers in mental health to ensure adequate care, general health workers at various health levels are now in position to recognize patients with mental illness, offer treatment, and if need arises, refer the patients in time,” he said at ministry of health headquarters in Kampala.

He noted that due to influence of drugs among other causes, Butabiika hospital admits over 9,000 patients per year however 30,000 patients are handled in outpatient department (OPD).

“One of our achievements as an institution is the reduction of the stigma attached to mental disorders, ministry of health has started to recognize the role Mental Health in the development of the country, this is a step in the right direction,” Dr. Basangwa said.

According to Dr. Basangwa, financial crunch with a highly indebted population, Gender based Violence, Conflicts, Low education, Poor health care primary causes contributing to poor mental Health in the country.

Subsequently Dr. Hafsa Lukwata revealed that in 2009, with support from African development bank (ADB) government invested $25million for improvement of Mental Health Facilities and training of health workers.

Currently Uganda has 30 psychiatrists and 700 psychiatric nurses actively engaged in mental health care, the number is inadequate, “During the doctor’s strike, its only mental health workers who did not participate and didn’t neglect patients” she added.

The meeting was concluded by the incineration of a 40ft container full of shisha pots and related apparatus that were picked from different bars and restaurants during the police raids.

Consequently the permanent secretary for ministry of health called upon government to put in more effort to enforce laws against smoking and drug abuse.