By Albert Allotey
Accra, March 28, GNA – The Mental Health Authority has called for the integration of NCD service delivery within the Network of Practice (NoP) framework at the primary healthcare level.
It said this would help improve the conditions of individuals with mental health and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service introduced the NoP framework as a strategic approach to strengthening health service delivery at the sub-district level.
It is also aimed at enhancing service quality, improve the referral system, and establish selected health centres as “Model Health Centres (MoHC),” ultimately reducing unnecessary referrals to district hospitals and improving overall health outcomes.
It is an initiative to foster structured collaboration among health facilities within defined geographic areas, to enable resource-sharing and optimizing service delivery without requiring major institutional restructuring.
Dr Edward Appah, Specialist Psychiatrist, Technical Division, Mental Health Authority made the call at a stakeholders’ validation meeting on the Ghana NCD Alliance position paper on the integration of NCD services within the NoP.
Dr Appah said the Authority recognized the critical need to address NCDs holistically and the vital role of mental health services within the NoP framework in achieving this.
“We understand that physical and psychological health are inextricably linked, and failing to address them together is a disservice to our patients and undermines our collective public health efforts,” he stated.
He said NCDs and mental health have a link that could no longer be ignored, stating that, “integrating NCD and mental health care into the NoP framework is a desirable and necessary strategy.
“The co-occurrence of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders with NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease is well-documented.
“Individuals diagnosed with NCDs frequently experience psychological challenges due to the chronicity of these NCDs. Similarly, individuals with mental health conditions are at an increased risk of developing NCDs due in part to poorer lifestyle choices, medication side effects and difficulty accessing preventive care.”
Dr Appah noted that the integration will improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the healthcare system’s efficiency.
The Authority had made several recommendations, which include the investment in training and capacity building programmes for mental health professionals and primary health providers on integrated care approaches for NCD prevention, management, and the promotion of mental health awareness.
GNA
BM