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Providing Sustainable Mental and Neurological Health Care in Ghana and Kenya
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Mental, neurological, and substance use (MNS) disorders have a substantial impact on global health and well-being. Disorders such as depression, alcohol abuse, and schizophrenia constitute about 13 percent of the total burden of disease (WHO, 2009). Worldwide, MNS disorders are the leading cause of disability, and the 10th leading cause of death (WHO, 2008a). Despite this high burden, there is a significant shortage of resources available to prevent, diagnose, and treat MNS disorders. Approximately four out of five people with serious MNS disorders living in low- and middle-income countries do not receive needed health ser- vices (WHO, 2011). This treatment gap is particularly high in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although data are limited, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, stroke, and alcohol abuse, appear to be some of the most prevalent MNS disorders in SSA (Baingana et al., 2006; Sil- berberg and Katabira, 2006). Challenges to MNS care in SSA countries include a lack of trained mental health professionals, few mental health facilities, and low prioritization for MNS disorders in budget allocations. African countries, on average, have one psychiatrist for every 2 million people, whereas European countries have one psychiatrist per 12,000
978-0-309-37764-5
NONE
Leadership
English
2015
1-242
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