The Nigeria Association of Psychiatric Nurses, Enugu State Chapter, has called on the National Assembly to urgently take action on the Mental Health Act.
Chairman of the union, Mr. Afam Ndu, while addressing journalists in Enugu said it is unfortunate that the country still operates with a mental health act inherited from Britain in 1959.
He said we need the act because rights of the mental patients are very fundamental. It is very shameful that Nigeria do not have mental health law.
“So, in view of this, we are calling on both chambers of the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency pass that Act.”
The union also called for more community-based psychiatric programmes and clinics.