The Oyo State House of Assembly held public hearing on a bill to enact law on Oyo State Mental Health Bill, 2022.
The public hearing which was held today at the House of Chiefs, Parliament building, Oyo State Secretariat had several inputs and recommendations from stakeholders in health sector.
Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly and the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Riliwan Saminu Gbadamosi jointly sponsored the bill.
Hon. Riliwan Gbadamosi while giving his opening remark averred that increasing rate of mental health challenges ravaging our society necessitated the public hearing geared towards receiving various recommendations and inputs from all stakeholders.
He therefore called on all governments at all levels to put measures in place to uphold the fundamental human right of the mentally retarded people.
In his words, the Commissioner For Health, Dr. Taiwo Oladipo while speaking highlighted some challenges posed to the society as a result of pervading cases of mental health. He attributed the growing trend of the cases to stress usually caused by the economic hardship and insecurity Nigerians are currently battling with. He recommended that inclusivity should be prioritized while selecting the members of the steering committee as proposed in the mental health bill.
The representative of the Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State branch, Dr. Ayotunde Fatunla commended the House of Assembly for the laudable bill. He therefore emphasized that his members should be included in the steering committee.
The representative of Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Williams while speaking stated that emphasis should be laid on awareness against stigmatization of people suffering mental health issues and that if any person is found to be suffering mental health challenges in any place of work, such person should rather be helped and rehabilitated rather than passing hasty dismissal judgement on the person.
The representative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Dr. Wole Oke spoke on some steps taken by his agency in nibbing the menace of drug abuse in the bud so as to drastically reduce the challenges of mental health in the society.
Other experts who spoke at the event agreed on adequate funding to health care system, and that sensitization and public enlightenment should be at the top gear.
Among the dignatories who graced the ocassion were honourables Akeem Adedibu, Olushola Owolabi, Femi Julius, Akintunde Olajide AKT, representatives of Nigerian Medical Association, Red Cross Society, heads of parastatals, clinical psychologists, medical experts among several others.