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Dr Adeyemi Egbeola, a Consultant Psychiatrist, at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja, has decried the alarming rate in the rise of recession-associated clinical depression in Nigeria.
Egbeola made this disclosure on Friday in Lokoja at 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Scientific Conference week of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kogi chapter, with the theme: “Economic Recession & The Rise of Depression”.
According to him, a significant association have been demonstrated between macroeconomic indicators in recession and clinical depression as a mental illness.
“For every suicide committed; there is an average of 20 attempts (ratio 1:20), due to unemployment, self rated mental health, debts, financial difficulties and other common mental health issues.
“Depressive disorder account for 80% suicide, and hopelessness is the most predictive indicator of suicide, a depressive thought pattern,” Egbeola said.
According to him, in 2015 from Jan. to Nov. record showed that 25, 267 patients were treated on mental health at FNPH, Yaba Lagos, while the number increased to 53,287 in 2016 within the same period.
At University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Ilorin at the Adult OPD, 3,500 patients were treated in 2015 while the number rose to 4,311 patients within the same period in 2016.
He urged government to intensify training and supervision of low level manpower at the primary health care (PHC) centre, provision of cheap but effective medications and use of routine screening instruments to facilitate detection and reaction.
He also harped on strengthening protective factors and mitigation of stressor, promotion of healthy lifestyle, adequate sleep, exercise, nourishing balanced diet, and avoid smoking and moderate use of alcohol.
In his remarks, the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, commended the NMA for their support and commitment in delivering quality healthcare services to the people of the state, calling for more synergy and collaboration.
Bello, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Edward Onoja, said the health sector has been one of the top most priorities of his Administration, restating his commitment to use the available resources to better the lives of citizens.
He said that six ambulances were recently distributed equitably to six local governments across the three senatorial districts of the state, adding that recruitment of health workers are also ongoing in the health sector.
The governor added that the government had also initiated a health care package tagged, “Bello Healthcare Plus” for women and children to be receiving free treatment and drugs across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Bello, however, urged the people to take advantage of various social intervention and agricultural programmes available to them in the state to improve their standard of living.
In his speech, the NMA Chairman, Kogi chapter, Dr Godwin Tijani, said the meeting was part of advocacy aimed at improving the health care delivery services to the people of the state.
He said that the theme for 2017 AGM “Economic Recession and the Rise of Depression”, was carefully selected due to the current economic recession in the society.
According to him, the program will enable them to examine the implication of economic recession and come up with suggestions on how to reduce the rise in depression in the society.
“It remains our firm goals and beliefs that Kogi NMA partnering with the State Government will turn around the poor health indices in the state, especially reducing maternal and perinatal mortality.
“We commend the sincere efforts and achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello in the health sector since inception of his administration, and the cordial relationship NMA has enjoyed with the government.
“NMA also commend the singular act of reinstating and payment of salaries and arrears of our colleagues employed in 2015,” Tijani said.
He, however, appealed to the governor to look into the issues of eight of their members that were still on the uncleared list and several members that were still grossly underpaid to be considered and cleared.
Other dignitaries present at the meeting included Special Adviser to Governor on Health Matters, Dr Ahmed Attah, House Committee Chairman on Health Matters, Dr Friday Ali, and past chairmen of the association.
L-R: Kogi NMA Chairman, Dr Godwin Tijani; COS to Kogi Governor, Hon Edward Onoja; HRH Ohimegye Igu Koton-Karfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isakoto; Chairman House Committee on Health Matters, Hon Friday Ali; and SA to the Governor on Health Matters, Dr Ahmed Attah, during the NMA 2017 AGM, Scientific Conference, at FUL Auditorium, Lokoja
Credits: Stephen Adeleye | NAN
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