Confinement of people with mental illness illegal – Consultant Psychiatrist

A Consultant Psychiatrist at University College Hospital (UCH) and Senior Lecturer at University of Ibadan (UI), Dr. Victor Makanjuola, has declared that it is illegal to confine people with mental illness.

Makanjuola stated this during a virtual seminar organised by the National Association of Sea Dogs, Jolly Rogers Deck.

The programme, which was part of activities to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day, was attended by Mr Ade Adeniji, Capoon of Jolly Rogers Deck, Mr Olufemi Adesope and Mr. Okekearu Fabian, acting Secondmate of the organisation, among others.

Newspot reports that the United Nations reserved October 10 each year as World Mental Health Day.

Makanjuola while speaking at the event with the theme ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right’, declared that many people do not have access to effective mental healthcare, especially those in low-middle income countries like Nigeria.

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He stated that the Mental Health Act, 2023, signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, is effective in Nigeria.

He added that there are a few violations to the Act, including confinement and shackling of mental health patients.

The psychiatrist insisted that going by the provisions of the Act, it is illegal to confine people with mental challenges.

Makanjuola noted that to promote the rights of people with mental health challenges, traditional healers should be educated on the dangers of such practices.

He maintained that it is important that Nigerians understand that human rights and mental health exist together and a community that violates humans rights cannot have mentally healthy individuals.

“The Mental Health Act 2023 signed in the twilight of the last regime by President Muhammadu Buhari is effective in law now in Nigeria and it is a significant step forward in protecting the basic rights mentioned earlier.

“There are a few violations to this Act and they include illegal confinement and shackling.

“To promote the rights of people with mental health challenges traditional healers should be encourage whilst engaging those who involve in harmful practices by educating them about the dangers of such practices.

“It is important that we understand that human rights and mental health exists together and a community that violates humans rights cannot have mentally healthy individuals,” he said.