A 2-day workshop on Improving mental basic mental health services was conducted from the 4th-5th of September, 2024. This was organized by the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board (RSPHCMB).
The main objective of this workshop was to retrain the primary health care workers of the selected facilities in all Local Government Areas in Rivers State, using the mhGAP. This will create the needed awareness, enhance access to mental health services, promote early detection of mental, neurological and substance use disorders, and prompt referrals where necessary. Forty-six (46) healthcare workers (Doctors and Nurses) participated in this training.
The Director of Medical Services, Dr Daniel-Okachi, C.C. in his remarks, spoke of the importance of Mental Health Services integration into the Rivers State Primary Health Care System, stating the primary health care is the first point of care, catering for the needs of those in rural, hard-to-reach, semi-urban and urban areas. He also encouraged every participant to be attentive, to learn and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in caring for these patients.
The Executive Secretary of RSPHCMB, Prof. Kinikanwo Green, in his address stated that Mental Health is indeed a big branch of health, and its importance cannot be overemphasized. He encouraged every participant to be committed to quality service delivery and to the care of our patients and clients.
The facilitators of the refresher training were Mental Health specialists including Prof Nkporbu, the Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Dr Wakama from University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
The training was comprehensive and well-structured with different sessions. It followed the cascade model as adapted by the mhGAP version 2.0. Components of the training were, pre-training evaluation of participants, protocols on management of some priority conditions including epilepsy, depression, substance use disorders, adolescent and child mental health and behavioural disorders, other significant emotional complaints, psychoses, and post-training evaluation.
Ultimately, the basic mental health skills acquired by the health workers will improve their competence in the car and management of patients with mental health disorders, which will translate to improved health outcomes and improved user satisfaction in Primary Health Centres across the State.
Attached are pictures from the workshop.
