The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria says that passing and signing the National Mental Health Bill into law will help reposition the mental health sub-sector to meet emerging modern challenges.
President of the Association, Dr Taiwo Sheikh, who said this while speaking with newsmen in Enugu noted that the bill will also enhance the mental health and wellbeing of all Nigerians.
Sheikh was speaking after the inaugural meeting of the newly returned executive of the association held at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
He said the bill, which had passed its first and second reading, was at the public hearing stage at the National Assembly.
He said it would grant the human rights of mental patients and ensure that they have access to qualitative care in all mental health or psychiatric facilities.
Shiekh said as an association, the psychiatrists have resolved to strengthen its advocacy and push to get the bill signed into law for the benefit of Nigerians and to reposition the mental health sub-sector to meet emerging challenges. He explained that the existing law backing mental health and its practice in the country had been outdated.