Ekiti State Signs Mental Health Service Bill Into Law

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has signed the Mental Health Service Bill into law, saying that the Act will provide a framework to protect, provide, care and treat persons living with mental health disorders or substance abuse.

Fayemi, while signing the bill into law, stressed the importance of ensuring that people living with mental disorders have access to appropriate care.

According to him, catering for the welfare of all members of the society regardless of their physical, mental, or social status was indicative of the level of commitment to delivering universal health coverage.

Fayemi noted that the framework would handle critical issues of hospitalization and provision of high-quality care among others.

The Governor said the core objectives of the law include establishing purpose-built mental health facilities and medical Social Work Department and units in selected secondary and tertiary medical facilities.

Others are to guarantee the protection of persons suffering from mental disorders or illnesses and substance abuse in the state.

He said that the law would ensure that every person living with mental disorders has access to mental health care facilities by receiving and being admitted for treatment in a designated facility.

Ekiti state Commissioner for Health, Oyebanji Filani, stated that mental health law is required to ensure a regulatory framework for the provision of mental health services.

He said: “The Ekiti State Mental Health Service Law was developed to provide a legal framework for the assessment, treatment and protection of rights of persons diagnosed with mental health problems. It aims at ensuring that people living with mental health disorders are afforded the needed protection and care from the devastating consequences of mental illness.”

In his remarks, Funminiyi Afuye, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, said that the mental health law has made Ekiti stand out as a clear leader in legislative governance which concerns the health and well-being of the people.