Experts Highlight Economic Burden & Access Barriers to Mental Healthcare in Nigeria
LAGOS, Nigeria - A panel of experts has voiced concerns over the escalating costs and limited access to mental healthcare in Nigeria, outlining the significant economic and social consequences of neglecting mental health. The discussion underscored the need for increased funding, policy implementation, and local production of essential medications.
the challenges were highlighted as impacting not only individuals but also the national economy. Experts noted that the severity of mental health conditions can necessitate family members taking time off work to accompany patients, resulting in lost income and reduced productivity.In severe cases, patients require restraint during travel, sometimes leading to injuries and even amputations. “These situations show how mental health challenges also drain the economy,” one panelist stated.
Despite recent policy advancements – including the inclusion of mental health under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act and provisions within the basic Healthcare Provision Fund 2.0 – panelists emphasized the gap between policy and practical implementation.
“There is currently no dedicated budget for mental health,” lamented Taiwo Faowo, Chief Operating Officer of Intersect Consortium. “Funds released to psychiatric hospitals are used mainly for overheads and governance, not patient care.” Faowo called for the establishment of a department of mental Health within the Federal Ministry of Health to oversee funding and policy implementation.
The potential of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand services was also discussed. Tayo highlighted triumphant models where private organizations manage psychiatric wings within public hospitals under cost-sharing arrangements, arguing that PPPs “can reduce the financial burden on government while lowering costs for patients” and boost awareness while reducing stigma.
Another critical issue raised was Nigeria’s complete reliance on imported psychotropic medicines. Jayesimi pointed out that “None of the drugs used for managing mental health conditions are currently manufactured locally,” and that these drugs are excluded from NAFDAC‘s essential medicines localisation list. He warned that without local production, costs will continue to rise and supply will remain unstable. Analysts advocated for technology transfer, stronger legal frameworks for contract manufacturing, and incentives to encourage private investment in local production.
Beyond conventional mental health concerns, contributors urged a broader focus on brain health, encompassing conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain injuries, and neurological disorders, which are currently largely neglected.
Experts concluded by stressing the need to integrate mental health into all levels of healthcare delivery, advocating for both vertical integration (bringing services into primary, secondary, and tertiary care) and horizontal integration (ensuring mental health services are part of every health service package).”Stigma and neglect must end,” stated Obindo. “Mental health is as important as physical health. Every Nigerian should be able to walk into any hospital and access affordable mental health care. There is health without mental health.”
