By Albert Allotey
Accra, April 1, GNA – The Mental Health Authority says integrating NCD and mental healthcare into the Network of Practice (NoP) framework is a desirable and necessary strategy for comprehensive health delivery.
It stated that 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.
“These comorbidities significantly impact treatment outcomes and healthcare costs and reduce the quality of life,” the Authority said.
Dr Edward Appah, Specialist Psychiatrist, Technical Division, Mental Health Authority made the statement at a stakeholders’ validation meeting on the Ghana NCD Alliance position paper on the integration of NCD services within the NoP.
He noted that the integration would help in screening and detection, developing patient-centred care plans, and education and health promotion at the community level.
Others would be the establishment of clear referral pathways between mental health services and primary healthcare, and equipping health personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognise and address NCD risk factors and provide essential support for NCD management.
Dr Appah said in integrating the NCD into the NoP there was the need to continue with the collaborative efforts in providing adequate resources to strengthen mental health infrastructure and services at the primary healthcare level.
He recommended investment in training programmes for mental health professionals and primary healthcare providers on integrated care approaches for NCD prevention and management and promote mental health awareness.
Dr Appah stated that, “By adopting these recommendations, we hope to move towards integrated and holistic approach to healthcare, improving the lives of people with mental health conditions and NCDs.
“We believe that prioritizing mental health within the NCD framework is a sound investment in public health and economic prosperity.
“The mental health authority is not just proposing these changes but remains fully committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve this vision and provide reassurance and confidence in the proposed changes,” he stated.
GNA
GRB