The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto state council is set to partners with Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kware in other to promote mental health in the state.
This is contained in a press statement signed by the Secretary of the State Council, Abubakar Auwal Imam, and released to journalists on Saturday.
The statement disclosed that the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Shehu Saleh, explained that the partnership is very necessary in view of the importance of the media in public enlightenment and education.
He identified depression and illicit drugs among the common causes of mental illness in the north-west, saying some patients were born with mental disorder which would not manifest until they reach maturity.
He advised Nigerian on regular medical check-up to know their mental health status.
Dr Saleh noted that the hospital was the least charged in the country, despite their myriad of challenges, ranging from shortage of fund, epileptic power supply among others in which he said they spend N2.5 million on diesel monthly.
Saleh also noted that both manpower and infrastructures has improved significantly in the hospital.
He said, “We recruited 13 doctors since my assumption as Medical Director of the hospital two years ago and the whole hospital is undergoing renovation.”
Dr. Saleh who was responding to the speech of the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Isah Abubakar Shuni who led members of the state working committee on a familiarization visit to the hospital, said they were treating their patients without any form of discrimination.
He added that there was a cordial relationship between the hospital and host communities, hence their resolve to allow them tap from their electricity and water system as well as using their 4,600 meters of land for farming.
He commended the state government, the Senator representing Sokoto Central, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko and the member, representing Kware-Wamakko constituency, Ahmad Kalambaina for their sustained support to the hospital.
“The state government according to the MD had provided us with an ambulance, medical equipment and drugs to our patients while the Senator built a rehabilitation centre for us in addition to food items and promised to do more for the hospital. Honourable Kalambaina is currently executing 2 kilometres constituency road in the hospital,” he said
Speaking earlier, Shuni commended the Medical Director for the massive renovation in the hospital, which he described as one of the best in terms of service delivery in the country.
He called on the government to subsidize psychiatric treatment, as many people could not afford the charges.
He assured the hospital of unalloyed support and cooperation of the members of the press in the state