Oyo State Government revives mental health services: Psychiatric unit reopens

Stanley Ihedigbo

Oyo State Government has taken a significant step towards improving mental health care by reopening the psychiatric unit at Ring Road State Hospital, Adeoyo.

The move aimed to provide much-needed support and treatment to individuals struggling with mental health issues, promoting overall well-being and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Speaking on Friday, the Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals’ Management Board, Dr. Akin Fagbemi said the psychiatric unit is strategically designed to accommodate the specialised needs of mental health patients.

He emphasised that the government will ensure activities at the unit align with international best practices for psychiatric rehabilitation centres.

Dr. Fagbemi appealed to residents to check on their mental health status often to avoid being a victim of mental illnesses or depression.

He therefore called on members of the public to visit Ring Road State Hospital for their mental health status since the hospital is the only one in the state with the psychiatric unit.

The Consultant Psychiatrist at the Ring Road State Hospital, Dr. Shina Fakunle said mental health is a key area in the health sector and must be treated with utmost priority.

He advised the teeming youth in the state to shun acts of drug abuse and other vices as majority of the patients/clients at the hospital are victims of drug abuse and other societal vices.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Hospitals’ Management Board (OYSHMB) has introduced new Aprons for Apex Nurses and Scrub for other Nurses in the state health sector to enhance recognition, describing the initiative as the beginning of a new era for the secondary health care sector in the state.

Dr. Fagbemi commended Engr. Oluseyi Makinde for his unwavering efforts in the health sector such as recruitment of health workers into various cadre, approval of uniform allowances for nurses, prompt payment of salary and payment of thirteen month bonus to all state workers, applauding the governor for providing good and quality health care services for good people of Oyo state.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the board, Dr. Anifat Ibraheem praised the unwavering support of the state government for provision of basic health care services under Omi-Tuntun 2.0 for the people of the state.