Health minister urges increased funding for mental healthcare, research and awareness
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain today stressed increasing allocations for the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital (NIMH) to improve the quality of mental healthcare and expand research activities.
"Alongside treatment, importance should be given to research, raising public awareness and developing skilled manpower to address the growing prevalence of mental illnesses," he said.
The minister said this while addressing a discussion as the chief guest at the NIMH in the city's Agargaon area this morning, marking the World Mental Health Day.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit was present at the programme as the special guest.
Sakhawat said the Pabna Mental Hospital would no longer be allowed to be used as a recreational venue and that necessary measures would be taken within the next 24 hours.
He said it is essential to ensure a proper environment at the hospital for the treatment, care and rehabilitation of mental health patients.
Therefore, necessary steps will be taken to turn the hospital into a suitable place for providing healthcare services, the minister added.
Regarding the development of professional skills of doctors, Sakhawat said 500 doctors have already joined. Discussions are underway with China, Turkey and Pakistan for their training, he said, adding, at the same time, initiatives will be taken to introduce advanced robotic surgery facilities in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhit described research as an important investment rather than an expenditure in addressing the mental health crisis and stressed adequate allocation for large-scale research in this sector at the national level.
Mental healthcare services would be expanded to the district level instead of keeping them Dhaka-centric, he said, adding that initiatives would be taken to introduce secure counselling services at district hospitals using modern technology and the internet so that people can receive advice from specialist doctors while staying at home.
The state minister also stressed the introduction of short-term certificate courses to enhance the skills of professionals other than doctors.
National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital Director Professor Dr Saifun Nahar chaired the programme.
Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Director Professor Dr Mirza Md Ziaul Islam and World Health Organization's Health Emergencies Department Chief in Bangladesh Dr Anthony Eshofonie were also present at the event.
