By Nasratu Kargbo
Member of Parliament from Kailahun District, Bernadette Wuyata Songa, has emphasized the need to have mental health facilities established in all the regions and for 3% of the budget on health to be dedicated to addressing mental health issues.
Songa made this call on the 14th of August 2023 whilst debating President Julius Maada Bio’s speech at the State Opening of the Sixth Parliament.
Speaking passionately on the issue, the MP pointed out that the country has only one mental health facility which is located in Freetown, and is overstretched.
“The discussion I want to start today in this Well is how well we are tackling our mental health issues. Our youths are perishing, Kush has become the order of the day”, she said.
Songa stated that the country is in crisis, explaining how the psychoactive kush drug continues to create a problem in society, which she said warrants the need to investigate the causes of such widespread addiction to the drug.
The MP who worked as a Nurse overseas mentioned other mental health issues such as postnatal depression which according to her should be given attention.
Songa explained that some women go through postnatal depression without being noticed, citing the case of a woman who refused to bond with her baby to the point that when the baby cries, she refuses to attend to the newborn. The MP said that such depression needs to be recognized, explaining how in her village they would label the woman as a witch, not knowing that she is depressed and needs help.
Speaking on another mental health-related issue, she explained that parents who separate or quarrel a lot in front of their children could cause a negative psychological effect on the child, with the likelihood of them suffering from stress and most often finding comfort in drugs.
She said the country has an outdated Mental Health Act that was enacted in 1902 and encouraged her colleagues to support a review of the Act.
Highlighting some of the improvements made in the health sector during President Bio’s last 5 years, the MP spoke about the Nurses and Midwifery Council Act 2023 (NMC) which she said will play a significant role in ensuring that Sierra Leoneans get better health service.
She noted that the council established under the Act will monitor, and evaluate the professional conduct of nurses and other health practitioners.
Emphasizing the relevance of the council towards ensuring effective health delivery, Songa highlighted some of the negative behaviours of nurses such as wearing long nails, speaking rudely to patients, or exhibiting other appalling attitudes towards the patients.
The MP stated that with the enactment of the NMC Act, the council will make sure health workers are on track.
“We now have a council that monitors and not just employs and gives pin codes to health workers, and that council requires a budget line,” Songa said.
President Bio whilst delivering his speech on the 3rd August 2023 stated: “In the realm of healthcare, we have surpassed the health outcomes of many neighboring countries, a testament of our unwavering commitment to the well-being of our citizens”.
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