Hospital set treat drug abuse, mental cases in North, says MD

From Femi Oyelola Kaduna

The Medical Director, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, Professor AbdulKareem Jika Yusuf,has assured that the health centre is ready to collaborate with governors of the states in the Northern region to address the prevalence of drug abuse .
He made the white speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday
The MD disclosed that the hospital have a modern drug rehabilitation program which carter for people that need such treatment.
“We have 11 consultants psychiatrist that will be able to offer services to such people. So, it is not something new to us. It is not every one of them that will require admission; some will get well and return home.
“We have more than 100 nurses, we have social workers, we have psychologists and all the support staff that are required for the treatment of people with drugs use, we have them in this hospital.
“And this hospital is ever ready, that’s why it’s established by the government to provide care for people with drug abuse and addiction problems, with other people with other psychiatric problems.
“One of the saddest things is that government accord low priority towards the health services.
“Government alone cannot do it, other people have to come into it, and philanthropists have to come to it because what is required is more than what the government can provide.
“Every day the rate of suicide, drug abuse is increasing, as such we need to be very proactive to tackle these problems. And that will require a sectorial collaboration, “he said.
Professor Yusuf warned that drug abuse and suicide were on the increase, he however expressed dismay over crude and unaccredited rehabilitation centres in Kaduna and Katsina states.