Nigeria has taken a groundbreaking step in mental healthcare by becoming the first country to contextualize the newest version of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (MHGAP 3.0). Spearheaded by the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), this initiative underscores the government's unwavering commitment to addressing the significant mental health gap in the country.
Globally, mental health conditions pose a critical challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. With a staggering 90% treatment gap, only a fraction of those in need of mental healthcare receive it. This disparity is further compounded by a shortage of mental health professionals, exacerbated by emigration.
The WHO introduced MHGAP to expand mental health services in non-specialized settings, acknowledging the need for tailored approaches. Nigeria's pioneering efforts began with the contextualization of the initial version in 2011, led by Professor Oye Gureje with WHO support. Despite initial challenges, Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing mental healthcare challenges.
The latest milestone comes with the contextualization of MHGAP 3.0, launched in November 2023. Dr. Chukwuma Ayanike, Director of Public Health, highlighted plans to integrate mental health into primary care and other programs to comprehensively address the treatment gap.
Dr. Ojo Tunde Masseyferguson, National Coordinator for NMHP at the Federal Ministry of Health, commended Nigeria's global leadership in contextualizing MHGAP. He emphasized the transformative impact of the workshop's outcomes on mental health service delivery, urging stakeholders to embrace MHGAP as the primary tool for integrating mental health across all levels of healthcare service delivery.
The recent stakeholder workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of non-specialized healthcare workers in identifying, managing, and referring common mental health conditions, ultimately improving access to mental health services nationwide. Prof. Oye Gureje, Chairman of the National Technical Working Group on Mental Health, spearheaded this collaborative effort.
Stakeholders from various sectors actively participated in the workshop, including government agencies, professional bodies, academia, development partners, NGOs/CSOs, and individuals with lived experience. The Clinton Health Access Initiative played a pivotal role in supporting the contextualization process, reaffirming its commitment to addressing Nigeria's mental health gap and strengthening the healthcare system.
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