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From: Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The Federal Government has launched mental health and psycho-social support programme in Borno State.
The scheme was primarily for traumatised victims of Boko Haram insurgency.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, told newsmen, in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Tuesday, that the mental health and psycho-social support was part of the Health and Nutrition Emergency Respond programme launched by the government for the violent-ridden northeast States.
“The aim is to provide psycho-social support to the traumatised people in the state and also care for them,” he disclosed.
He said it was the first time such programme would be integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) in Nigeria. He said service providers have been trained with some to provide regular services at various primary health centres while others will be integrated into existing ad-hoc teams.
The minister said the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Maiduguri will provide professional support and serve as referral and admission facility for the mental and psycho-social intervention.
He said the Health Sector Response is one of the strategic interventions of President Muhammadu Buhari focus for the rebuilding of the northeast especially Borno which is the epicentre of Boko Haram insurgency. He said the intervention would also address the Humanitarian challenges of the people.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has earmarked N4.3 billion for the Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Plan for the state. He assured that government will continue to support more efforts at supporting the Health of the people.
