Per the Mental Health Act, it is the responsibility of the state to bear the cost of mental health care, but the state is not enforcing that aspect of the law, making the facilities caring for mental health patients are under-resourced, Head of Communications at the Mental Health Authority, Mr. Kwaku Brobbey has disclosed.
The situation he noted has left us with two options either for the facilities to stop caring for such persons or allow their families to pay for the management of the persons involved.
He said, ”it is an illegality to charge mentally challenged persons for their mental health care, but due to the condition on the ground when the people are brought in, the facilities are forced to charge a token to help care for mental health patients”.
Additionally, he implored the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take responsibility for the mentally challenged within their jurisdiction to rid them off public places under the law as part of measures to control the pandemic.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, he said families who are unable to control their mentally challenged relatives due to their aggressive nature should report to the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies for support.
He disclosed that it is the responsibility of the assemblies to inform the Social Welfare, Police and Mental Health Authority about the issue so the mentally challenged person would be given the needed care.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
