President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Mental Health Bill into law, replacing the outdated Lunacy Act of 1958.
The bill was harmonized by the Senate and House of Representatives in 2021 and is seen as a major step forward for mental health care and practice in Nigeria.
Professor Taiwo Obindo, President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria, called the signing a “great relief” and noted that the country is now “part of the global space with best global practice.”
Professor Taiwo Shielk, a former President of the APN, thanked key players in the process and praised God for the milestone.
The new law includes provisions for the establishment of a Department of Mental Health Services in the Federal Ministry of Health and a Mental Health Fund.
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Joseph Omoniyi
- Tags: Mental Health, Nigeria, President Buhari
