Federal Government has expressed commitment to improve mental health services from primary to tertiary health care levels in the country.
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire made the commitment in an interview with newsmen shortly after inaugurating some projects at the federal neuro psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri.
According to Dr Ehanire, the infrastructure inaugurated underscores the determination of government to reposition the health system and provide quality and affordable services to Nigerians.
He said the Ministry of Health would continue to advocate for more funding to tertiary health institutions especially in the Northeast.
“Everything goes according to budget, the hospital management know what they want so they put in their budget and we advocate for it with the ministry of finance to have them financed within the availability of funds. The idea of what the federal government does begins here with those who know what they need and they are missing and put inside their budget”.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the quantum of work executed by management of the Federal neuro Psychiatric Hospital Maiduguri.
Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi noted that with the inauguration of the new projects, the hospital can now accommodate more patients in need of psychological intervention in the region.
He maintained that the Psychiatric Hospital can now compete with any mental health facility in the world.
Some of the projects inaugurated include Psychogeriatrics ward, Child and Adolescent ward, Electrodiagnostic and treatment center among others.
Dauda Iliya