NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 17 – Mental health experts and neurologist around the world, have called out for government intervention to invest in brain heath in Africa, due to the alarming number of suicide rates in the continent.
In a conference held in Nairobi, the experts addressed the obstacles that countries in the global south face while addressing brain health issues.
These obstacles include: access to care, inefficient research, development and funding, cultural barriers towards help-seeking behavior and the general lack of awareness by the public.
According to the ministry of health investment case,2021, the burden of mental health condition, cost a cumulative 62.2 billion Kenyan shillings through: lost productivity through absenteeism, presenteeism and premature deaths.
The world health organization, has estimated that depression and anxiety costs the world economy 1 trillion dollars yearly in lost productivity. The world economic forum forecasts that this number is estimated to rise to 6trillion dollars globally by 2030.
The neuroscientists and experts have raised their concern over the low investments dedicated on mental health in low income countries especially in Africa, yet the continent experiences the highest rate of suicides globally.
“Globally, mental health receives just 2 percent of all health funding, and the figure falls to 1 percent in lower-income countries. In lower-income countries, only a third of national health insurance plans cover mental health conditions such as depression, and there are just 2 mental health workers for every 100,000 people,” said Aga khan University President Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin in his speech during the opening session of the conference.
“Here in Africa, mental health research constitutes just 2 percent of all health research. Yet the continent’s suicide rate is the highest of any World Health Organization region, with the rate for men 40 percent higher than the global rate,” added Dr. Sulaiman.
Stressing on the issue, the brain and mind institute, has expressed it’s hopes in the conference saying that governments and practitioners in developing countries have a duty to put in place impactful and well-resourced strategies and interventions, to help close gaps in mental health using innovative and culturally sensitive solutions.
“This inaugural conference seeks to begin these critical conversations and bring on board partners across the board to journey with BMI in achieving our vision of a healthy brain, and healthy world, by putting in measures that culminate in bringing the right care at the right time to the right place. Together we will go far,” said Prof. Lukoye, Deputy director of the brain and mind institute.
