Question NW4055 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

a) The Department has prioritised Mental Health as an important aspect of health that is

crucial to the overall well-being of individuals and society. The Mental Health Care Act, 2002 (Act No.17 of 2002), its Regulations and guidelines as well as the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan 2013-2020 that is currently under review guide the efforts to address the mental health of our people.

There are many risk factors for developing mental health problems, and these include living with a chronic condition such as HIV, tuberculosis, cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, women around childbirth and poverty. The Health Sector’s strategy is to focus on comprehensive efforts for prevention, early identification, early intervention and strengthening follow-up care for mental health problems at all the levels of the health care system as this would ensure that all at-risk populations are cared for. Among the plans that are in place to strengthen the efforts to address the mental health of our people, including those living with chronic conditions are the following:

• Progressive integration of mental health into the general health service environment

including primary, secondary, and tertiary level health establishments as envisaged by the Mental Health Care Act, 2002, to among others improve access to mental health services and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

• Improving skills and capacity of health care providers for early identification and

management of mental health problems at primary health care through training as well as complementing the numbers of available staff through contracting private mental health care providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists) to render mental health services at primary health care level.

• Strengthening clinical mental health skills among health care providers working in health

facilities listed to conduct 72-hours assessment of involuntary mental health care users as well as in mental health units that are attached to general hospitals.

• Screening and management for common mental disorders including depression, anxiety and alcohol and other drugs abuse at primary health care.

• Integration of mental health screening and referral in the school health programme as well as in the community health worker programme.

• Using various platforms and media to educate the public on mental health issues in collaboration with other stakeholders including civil society.

• Strengthening collaborations with other departments and stakeholders to ensure that the upstream determinants of mental health that lie within their mandates are addressed.

b) The updated National Health Sector HIV prevention Strategy (2020-2025), ensures that

combination HIV prevention strategies are employed for the people who inject drugs (PWID), and the strategy calls for capacity building and skilled health practitioners to deal with substance abuse disorders.

In terms of interventions to reduce transmission the following combination prevention interventions are available in the public health facilities for PWID:

Biomedical interventions: Collaboration with partners for needle exchange support programmes, male and female Condoms and lubricants, post-exposure prophylaxis for unintended exposure, and Pre-exposure prophylaxis (for prevention of acquisition), including monitoring of PrEP retention, HIV testing services (HTS) and referral to treatment for those who test HIV positive, STI management (screening and treatment).

Socio-behavioural interventions: Mental health screening, referral, and linkage to psychosocial support services. Accurate and appropriate sexual and reproductive health information and messages.

 

END.