By Sering Mass Jallow
Health stakeholders on Wednesday renewed calls for the enactment of Gambia’s Mental Health Bill, describing the proposed legislation as essential to strengthening the country’s mental healthcare system and protecting the rights of people living with mental health conditions.
The National Mental Health Program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), convened a high-level meeting at Bakadaji Hotel in Bijilo to discuss legislative reforms for mental health.
The meeting brought together delegates from West and East Africa, health professionals, policymakers and representatives of the judiciary.
Speaking at the event, National Mental Health Program Officer Mam Jarra Marega said the engagement aimed to build support for the draft Mental Health Bill and facilitate its submission to cabinet before its consideration by the National Assembly.
She identified inadequate funding, shortages of specialist mental health professionals and limited community mental health services as some of the challenges delaying progress in strengthening mental healthcare.
Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Momodou T. Nyassi, described the engagement as a demonstration of regional commitment to advancing mental health as a key component of public health, human rights and sustainable development.
He said the proposed legislation would provide a legal framework to protect the rights and dignity of persons living with mental health conditions while improving access to quality, community-based mental healthcare.
World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Dr Nathan Nsubuga Bakyaita said people living with mental health conditions continue to face stigma, discrimination and barriers to accessing healthcare.
He stressed that improving mental health requires more than clinical services and called for stronger legislation, sustained investment and a whole-of-society approach.
“Mental health cannot be addressed through health services alone. It requires strong policies, supportive legal frameworks, sustainable investments and a whole-of-society approach,” he said.
Participants said the enactment of the Mental Health Bill would mark an important step towards establishing a modern, rights-based mental health system that promotes accountability, expands access to quality care and protects people living with mental health conditions from discrimination and neglect.