Plan International Nigeria has donated mental health medications and sexual and reproductive health commodities to the Bauchi State Government to address shortages in health facilities and improve access to treatment.
The donation was announced on Monday by the organisation’s Country Director, Dr Charles Usie, during an event to mark World Mental Health Day.
Usie said mental health awareness must translate into access to quality services, appropriate treatment and essential medicines.
“Access to quality services, appropriate treatment and essential medicines is critical to translating conversations about mental health into meaningful action,” he said.
He added that mental health was an integral part of overall health and that people seeking support should have access to quality care without stigma.
The donation was made under the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Nigeria (ASPIRE) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. The initiative supports efforts to strengthen sexual and reproductive health rights and mental health services in Bauchi and Sokoto states.
Usie said routine quality-of-care assessments and supervisory visits to supported health facilities had identified shortages of selected family planning commodities, medicines for sexually transmitted infections and psychotropic medications.
He said the gaps could disrupt continuity of care and prevent patients from receiving timely and appropriate treatment.
“In response, and in support of ongoing government efforts, the ASPIRE project has procured essential family planning commodities, STI medicines and psychotropic medications for handover to the state ministries of health in Bauchi and Sokoto states,” he said.
The supplies include medicines for managing various mental health conditions, alongside commodities intended to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Usie called for more mental health professionals, adequate supplies of essential medicines and services that allow patients to seek treatment without fear of discrimination.
He reaffirmed Plan International Nigeria’s commitment to working with governments, communities and partners to improve the health, rights and well-being of adolescents and young people, particularly girls.
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