The immediate past Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, has traced the high index rate of mental illness patients in the 774 local government areas of the country to an uncontrollable poverty rate.
She made this known at the get-together organised in her honour by the former President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association, Dr Abib Olamitoye, at the Olubadan Hall of Academy Suites, Ibadan.
Omigbodun stated that residents of the various slums across the country are prone to mental illness due to many social factors, including poverty, underemployment, and unemployment.
According to her, “mental illness is common in our society. I must tell you that poverty and mental illness are Siamese twins. As the poverty rate increases, so is mental illness.
“A study shows that poor people who are living in overcrowded areas with no sewage system, otherwise known as slums, are prone to mental illness when compared with those that are living in high-brow areas.
“Mental illness is traceable to a lot of factors, including drug abuse, domestic violence, and a lack of food.
“I must say that with regards to substance, I don’t have immediate statistics, but I carried out a study ten years ago among the Almajiris in the northern part of the country.
“The study reveals that over 60% of youths are taking different kinds of drugs, including substances known as solvents.
“Also, if you go to places like Bere, Oje, and Ogunpa, you will see a lot of people abusing drugs. It is like a hopeless situation, and now that there are cases of underemployment and unemployment, the situation is even worse.
“There is a need for a re-appraisal of our communities and values to really know what is most important in order to create people who will be healthy mentally and physically.
Earlier in his address, Dr Olamitoye disclosed that the motive of the gathering was to celebrate the former and present provosts of the College of Medicine.
He said Omigbodun has distinguished herself as a thoroughly bred medical professional and a seasoned administrator.
“This gathering is to celebrate the progress that was made in the last four years by the Management Team of the College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan, which team was headed by my good friend and former classmate in the famous Class of “85, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun.
“Aside from being good friends, I have had the privilege of also working with her in two different capacities, first as members of the local organising committee for the 30th anniversary of our class graduation from the College of Medicine in 2015.
“I was the chairman of that committee while she was the Secretary. Like I have testified over and over, Prof. Omigbodun was the most pleasant and organised person I had ever worked with.”
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