Mental health conditions rise, as Lagos psychiatric hospital records 100% in-patient increase
Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba in Lagos, has disclosed of a 100 per cent increase in the number of psychiatric patients admitted in the hospital in 2023.
Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba
According to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, who disclosed this during his Annual Score Card presentation, tagged; ‘A Day With the Medical Director,’ organised by the hospital, last Wednesday in Lagos, the increase can be attributed to the rising cases of mental health conditions in the country due to the current economic challenges accompanied by other socio-economic factors.
Dr Owoeye further added that the health facility’s overall number of new cases also increased by seven per cent, while there was three per cent increase in the number of follow-up patients male and female.
“It can be deduced that in 2023, the total number of all patients attendance increased by three per cent. There was a seven per cent increase in new cases attended, compared to no increase in 2022.
“We also have 100 per cent increase in admission cases in which the drug abuse cases is 10 per cent increase and discharge cases is reduced by 10 per cent,” he said.
On the achievements recorded by the hospital within the period under review, Owoeye listed completion of the Administrative building, Yaba, rehabilitation of internal roads and drainages in Yaba and Oshodi annex of the hospital.
He said others included rehabilitation of hospital wards, Yaba and Oshodi annex, ongoing construction of work on the Tele- Psychiatric centre in the hospital, upgrading of the physiotherapy department and ongoing construction work on the Out-patients Clinic in the hospital among others.
“Under my watch as the medical director, major developmental projects were facilitated at different stages and times both in Yaba and Oshodi annex which has greatly improved the pictorial state and aesthetics value of the hospital as well as health service delivery compared to what it was in the time past.
“This had been made possible with funds released by the Federal Government for capital projects,” Owoeye said.
Owoeye identified inadequate manpower and funding as the two major challenges faced by the hospital within the year under review – 2023.
According to him, the recent exit of health professionals in the country in search of the proverbial green pasture has had its significant effects on the hospital manpower.
