Christian Health supports mental health facilities
Four mental health facilities and the University of Ghana have received grants totalling GH¢251, 252.00 from the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to improve mental healthcare services and conduct research.
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The facilities are the Presbyterian Hospital in Agogo, the Bennito Menni Centre in Adansi Dompoase, both in the Ashanti Region, Holy Child Clinic at Fijai in the Western Region and the House of St Francis at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.
The grants formed part of a five-year-long programme of the CHAG on mental health care being funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), United Kingdom.
The use of funds
The Presbyterian Hospital and the Bennito Menni Centre received GH¢58, 180.00 and GH¢42, 000.00 respectively to renovate and equip their mental health centres; embark on outreach programmes; and purchase equipment.
The Holy Child Clinic received GH¢62,535.00 to improve patient care through advocacy programmes, while the House of St Francis received GH¢37, 050.00 to renovate and create a separate ward for female mental health patients.
The Office of Research Innovation and Development of the University of Ghana received GH¢26,000 to sponsor five post-graduate students to conduct research to increase the availability of documented evidence on mental health.
Objectives of the projects
At a ceremony in Accra yesterday to present the cheques, the Executive Director of CHAG, Dr Gilbert Buckle, said the grants were part of efforts by the CHAG to improve the quality of life of persons suffering from mental illness in Ghana.
Having been recognised as one of the neglected health conditions, Dr Buckle said mental health care had its fair share of deterioration in infrastructure and inadequate evidence-based research to inform decision making.
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The various representatives of the facilities and the University of Ghana expressed gratitude to the CHAG for the gesture.