8 years ago
Friday, June 6, 2014
Bed Wetting Is Not Witch-craft Or Curse, It Is A Mental Health Problem –Coordinator
I still remember from back in the days when some folks who carried bed wetting habits into their adolescents age were called all sorts of names. Well this report from Ghana will shed more light on Bed wetting.
Bed wetting is a mental health problem and strict adherence to drugs can cure it, Mr Joseph Yere, Brong-Ahafo Regional Coordinator of Mental Health Services has stated.
He however, debunked the perception that bed wetting is linked to curse and witchcraft, and advised victims to seek prompt and regular medication.
Mr Yere made this known at a training programme for health workers, traditional healers, pastors and prayer camp operations in Berekum.
It was organized by Mission of Hope Society (MIHOSO), in collaboration with Brong-Ahafo Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (BANGO) and attended by about 100 participants drawn from Berekum and Dormaa Central Municipalities, Jaman North, Jaman South, Dormaa West and Dormaa East Districts.
The workshop aimed at building and strengthening capacity of the participants, drawn from Dormaa Central and Berekum Municipalities, Dormaa West, Dormaa East, Jaman North and Jaman South districts to promote community-based mental health services.
Mr Yere explained that bed wetting could be hereditary, those who seek early medication and strictly adhere to drugs would be cured.
He said four patients were cured of bed wetting in the region in 2014, explaining that his outfit attended to three to five cases.
Mr Yere disclosed that last year the region recorded 3000 cases of mental disorders among some of them were as a result of marital problems, depression, drug abuse especially, smoking of Indian hemp.
He expressed concern about inadequate supply of psychotropic drugs noting that there had been a shortage of drugs since October 2013.
Mr Yere said because the National Health Insurance Scheme did not cover most of the drugs, many patients could not afford for regular medication.
He observed that Lack of collaboration between psychiatric staff and District and Municipal Health Directorates was great challenge, adding that lack of vehicles also makes it difficult for staffs to go for their outreaches and home visits.
Mr Yere spoke against public stigmatization of people with mental illness stressing that public stigma prevented patients from seeking medication.
Mr Gabriel Gbiel Bernakuu, Chief Executive Officer of MIHOSO stressed the need for psychiatric nurses to help reintegrate cured patients in society.
This he observed would also help encouraged other patients to stay on medication and entreated parents not to hide their children with mental disorders in homes but assist them to seek treatment.
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