The
CNN documentary on mental health in Kenya needs some
response. While we accept that there are still
huge gaps between the ideal and reality, there are still
many positive things that are happening in mental health
in Kenya, perhaps more than in most countries in sub-Saharan
Africa. The CNN feature is most unbalanced and is silent
on all of the other positive things being done, which I am
told they were shown at Mathari
Hospital. While the writer
meant well, it is possible somebody else is trying to
"cash in" on this situation, either financially or otherwise, when
they have little if nothing to contribute while there are people in
Kenya who volunteer themselves and work so hard to make a
difference.
The fact the writer was allowed into the
hospital by the relevant authorities is a reflection of the
openness of the authorities. It is up to the person who filmed
those patients to tell us how ethical it was to film mentally
ill patients without informed consent and not hide their
identity. The most unfortunate of it all were the words
attributed to the Kenyan "expert" in spite of his
credentials. The exact words were "We as a people have
perfected the system of hiding our friends, relatives and other
loved ones who have intellectual disability away from sight. Out of
sight, out of mind. No funding, neglected completely".
Being a Kenyan resident he must be aware of what is happening on
the ground and the great work and sacrifice on mental
health work at community level and the fight against stigma,
making great differences in mental health aspects of the poorest in
Kenya living in slums and right at the community grass root
level. These are the real experts in mental health in
Kenya. Just a few examples will suffice:
- BasicNeeds UK in
Kenya - a British NGO working in Kenya amongst other
countries in developing countries to reach out for people with
mental illness and their relatives at community level;
- The
Schizophrenia Foundation of Kenya is working
to minimize stigma related to schizophrenic illness;
- The User Movement in Kenya educating people
with mental illness on how to protect their human rights;
- The Kenya Association of the Welfare
of people with Epilepsy is making a difference at family
level for people with mental illness and Epilepsy;
- The University Departments of Psychiatry and
Government Institutions are working to improve the human
resource in mental health in Kenya;
- The Africa Mental Health
Foundation (AMHF) is struggling to provide research
evidence for mental health policy and practice in Kenya at gross
root level,
- The World Psychiatric Association and the
Royal College of
Psychiatrists are involved in ongoing Mental Health
Research in Kenya to reduce stigma in health professionals -
all of these activities with proper approvals and support from
the Government of Kenya;
- The various Government sponsored Acts
related to people with mental health
- The New constitution that embraces the human
rights of all Kenyans, etc.
- The splendid performance of Mathari
Hospital Board in the recent past.
Yes, the majority of our people are poor
and cannot access paid-for services. However, we
are very rich with ideas - we only lack resources.
People should not confuse poverty with a lack of
commitment or a "don't care attitude". Instead the
expert featured in the CNN documentary should have told us
what he is doing or plans to do on behalf of the patients he is
talking about.
These are my opinions as a person who has
devoted his life to mental health in Kenya.
David M. Ndetei, MD,
PhD
Professor of Psychiatry
University of Nairobi
&
Director, Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF)
AIC Building, Suite 4
Ralph Bunche Road
P.O. Box 48423-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: (+254)-020-2716315
Mobile: (+254)-722 518365
http://www.africamentalhealthfoundation.org/