Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, November 23rd & 24th 2023 – The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s Ministerial Roundtable on Mental Health marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward mental health wellbeing under the theme “Achieving Universal Health Coverage For Mental Health In Nigeria; National Mental Health Act 2021 – from Act to Action.” Convened by the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and led by Dr Massey-Ferguson, National Coordinator, National Mental Health Programme, and the esteemed team at the Federal Ministry of Health, the roundtable garnered participation from a diverse array of national and imulti-lateral stakeholders and partners.
During this landmark gathering, Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder & President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa reaffirmed in her Goodwill Statement, WBFAs steadfast dedication as a longstanding technical policy, advocacy, and planning partner. The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, which has developed and integrated Nigeria’s Perinatal Mental Health Checklist within the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Maternal and Child Health MCH Handbook, values the shared commitment to improving access to primary, secondary and tertiary mental health and wellbeing services for all people in Nigeria, through the structured unification of national policy efforts towards achieving universal health coverage for mental health and encouragement of full implementation of the provisions of the National Mental Health Act of 2021.
The Ministerial Roundtable witnessed the launch of crucial initiatives including the “National Mental Health Policy” and the “National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework.” Additionally, commendation was extended towards the resolution passed at the 64th regular session of the National Council on Health, endorsing the adoption and implementation of the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework across the 36 States of the Federation and FCT.
Acknowledging the invaluable support of global health and development leaders and organisations, including the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General H.E. Amina J Mohammed, World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, FIGO Director of Maternal and Neonatal Health Professor Bo Jacobsson, MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership Program Director Dr Koki Agarwal of Jhpiego and USAID, and our Technical Working Group comprising representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Johnson & Johnson, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among other policymakers, mental health practitioners, diplomatic community members, and development partners, underscores the collective effort toward Nigeria’s pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals 3.4, 3.5, and 3.8.
The urgency to revolutionise mental health care in Nigeria was highlighted, as Her Excellency Toyin Saraki remarked “That 1 in 4 Nigerians live with a mental health condition, with only 1 in 10 seeking and receiving adequate care. Robust policy implementation, frontline programming, and extensive awareness campaigns are essential to nurturing a society where mental wellbeing becomes a tangible reality for all.”
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa extends its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders and supporting initiatives that advance mental health policies and holistic care practices, to reduce the prevalence of suicide and mental health conditions in the country. Together, with a shared vision, the goal is to pave the way for a mentally healthier Nigeria.
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