The 46h Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APNMagged "EKO 2015" was hosted by the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos between Tuesday 27th"saturday si: October, 2015.
The theme of the conference was "MENTAL HEALTH AS A DRIVER FOR POSITIVE CHANGE" with sub-themes on "Mental health challenges of internally displaced persons" and "Mental Health and political transitions in Africa".
Observations (1) The conference observed that more concerted attention to the issue of sound mental health of citizens, would greatly facilitate the realization of the goals of purposeful change in the polity and socio-economic development of our country envisaged by the Federal Government, under His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, through increased productivity, enhanced quality of life, peace, among others.
(2) Delegates deliberated on evidence-based interventions, practices, the state of affairs and developments in the field of mental health with particular reference to insurgency, crisis in the health sector amongst others, and their impact on Nigerians.
(3) The findings of a panel of discussants on the topic "Should psychiatric evaluation be mandatorY,. for political office aspirants in Nigeria?/was reviewed by delegates as well.
Our Prayers
1) That the dignity of individuals with mental health issues regarding access to equitable and decent care in which their rights are preserved in Nigeria can only be guaranteed by the institution of enabling laws urgently !
2) In this light, APN appeals for Mr President's intervention in ensuring the speedy passage by the National Assembly anew Mental Health Bill and its enactment for the benefit of all, in-place of the obsolete extant law of 1959.
That political office aspirants in Nigeria do not necessarily require psychiatric evaluation as a prerequisite to contest for elective positions, as this will amongst others, encourage stigmatization. Rather, patriotism should be deliberately instilled in all Nigerians from early childhood and sustained through life.
However, this does not preclude psychiatric assessment as part of routine screening for all Nigerians, with the objective of early diagnosis and intervention by health institutions.
4) The conference calls for strengthening of advocacy to advance the course of mental health by user groups, institutions, government and others in the country.
5) The conference resolved to continue to work with all relevant agencies as well as individuals for the advancement of mental well-being, peace and prosperity of all Nigerians.
6) That Nigerian Mental Health professionals should, as a matter of importance, be part of all medical interventions for victims of insurgency in any part of the country because of the cultural relevance of their expertise.
Our special gratitude goes to the following for their role in making the conference such a surprising success:
Signed
Professor Oye I bidapo-Obe
Mr. Biodun Dabiri
Mr. Majekodunmi Fasheke (Majek Fashek)
The Acting Medical Director of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Yaba
The APN Executive Members
Members of the local Organizing Committee
Professor Joseph D. Adeyemi
APN President
Dr. Oluwayemi C. Ogun
LOC Chairman
ABUJA: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
PORTHARCOURT: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
LAGOS: Training Schedule for Basic Life Support BLS, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support ACLS, First Aid, CPR, AED
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