Malawi to recruit additional mental health specialists

By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, May 25: Director of Health and Intergovernmental Coordination, Amon Nkhata, says plans are underway to recruit additional mental health service providers in the wake of escalating cases of suicide in the country.

Speaking during a graduation ceremony at Saint John of God College of Health Sciences in Mzuzu on Thursday, Nkhata said government acknowledges that most people taking their own lives in the country are doing so due to mental health problems.

He said government recognizes that one of the most effective ways of dealing with the problem is to employ more mental health technicians and deploy them to all health facilities across the country to offer psychosocial support to people suffering from depression.

Nkhata said with the prevailing high rates of suicide cases, psychosocial counseling is much needed in the country than ever.

He said the health service has a vacancy rate of 60 percent, hence the need to engage additional human resources to ensure that the service delivers to the expectations of the populace.

College Principal Dr Esmie Mkwinda said the college has plans to upgrade its diploma courses to degree level and introduce new courses in July this year.

Former students’ union president, Baxton Shawa, encouraged his fellow graduates to use knowledge and skills they acquired to positively transform their lives, communities and humanity in general.

During the ceremony, 101 graduates were awarded University Diplomas in Psychosocial Counseling, Registered Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine (Mental Health).