The government has lagged behind in the provision of essential mental illness treatment services and this leads the youth into social chaos, so disclosed the Ethiopian Mental Illness Treatment Association. Ethiopian Mental Illness Treatment Association President, Dr. Dawit Assefa said that the government is duty bound to undertake a paradigm shift to fight back escalating rate of mental illness.
He added that the government has to urgently respond to the alarming rate of mental illness which is affecting the lives of young generation in a very devastating way. “The government should see to the implementation of a comprehensive strategic package so as to give mental illness treatment for incompetent group segments.
A coordinated and relentless efforts are expected by the Ministry of Health to respond to the poor medical education programs and services, addressing for limited numbers of the respective professions and giving feedback for social perception towards mental illness treatment,’’ he stated. Dr. Dawit remarked that the association is striving to address the problems of youths who are addicted to drugs, beverage and high stimulates products.
“The community and numbers of governmental institutions have shown stigmatization and discriminatory acts by expelling mentally ill workers and civil –neglected from part of the social affairs,’’ he added.
The President pointed out that the government, particularly; the Ministry of Health should express its readiness to ratify nation-wide rules and regulatory framework to safeguard the society from awkward conditions and to cope up with mental incompetency.
Public Service and Human Resources Communication Directorate Director, Alebachew Alemufor his part said that the ministry has zero tolerance towards the government institutions which fire physical and intellectual disabled workers without having substantial reasons and evidences.
Herald March 24/2019
BY MEHARI BEYENE
