'10% of Zimbabweans mentally ill'

AT least 10% of Zimbabwe's 13 million population suffers from some form of mental illness mainly due to the harsh economic situation being experienced by the country, a health official said.

Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe National Strategic Plan for Mental Health Services, Health minister David Parirenyatwa said mental health problems have been increasing across Africa and Zimbabwe was not spared, with 1,3 million mental patients.

"Mental illness ranks very high on the list of years lived with disabilities," Parirenyatwa said.

"In other words mental illness causes extensive disability.

"Neuropsychiatric disorders were estimated to contribute to 13% of the global burden of disease in 2011.

"Though the burden varies from country to country, neuropsychiatric disorders account for a substantial amount of the diseases burden in every country of the world."

Parirenyatwa said major depression was now the leading cause of global burden of disease.

He said according to the department of health information in the Health and Child Care ministry, there were 86 671 registered mentally ill patients and 7 763 new mentally ill patients were attended to in the country's hospitals from January to October 2014, giving a total workload of 94 434.

"In Zimbabwe, the factors that influence the increase in mental illness include the harsh economic situation, unemployment, poverty, change in disease pattern — particularly the HIV and Aids pandemic — and natural disasters," Parirenyatwa said.

He said while mental health was a significant aspect of people's health, it has usually received very low attention.

This is shown by the fact that there is a great shortage of psychiatric health personnel in the country.

He said staff compliment at the country's hospitals did not tally with the number of patients.

World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative David Okello said he had noted with concern that mental health had not been treated as a priority area in African countries.

At Ingutsheni Hospital there is only one psychiatrist, where there is a need for eight, at Ngomahuru, Masvingo, there is none while five are needed.

In 2007, a WHO report claimed 40% of Zimbabweans suffered a mental illness, due to economic hardships.

The Mental Health Strategy 2014 to 2018 is a document guiding the implementation of the Mental Health Policy of 2004.

Implementation of the The Mental Health Strategy 2014 to 2018 seeks to improve provision of mental health services in the country.

The strategic plan gives a guide on staffing, human resource development and training, infrastructure and research.