Stephen Enoch
Stakeholders on Thursday called for the urgent integration of mental health services into maternal and child healthcare (MNCH) delivery in Kano.
The call was made during a Community Accountability Report-Back Forum and Town Hall Meeting on Mainstreaming Mental Health in Maternal and Child Healthcare Service Delivery.
The event, which was organized by the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), took place at the Islamic Center in Gwale Local Government Area (LGA).
This call forum warned that neglecting the psychological well-being of pregnant women and nursing mothers is contributing to preventable deaths and family breakdowns.
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, represented by the Communication Officer, Furera Isyaka, stated that maternal and child mortality remains a serious challenge that requires comprehensive health interventions beyond physical care alone.
He noted that years of field interventions revealed that mental health is largely neglected in maternal healthcare protocols across the state.
“It is worrisome that many women go through mental health challenges associated with pregnancy and childbirth without adequate medical care and psychosocial support.
“Instead of receiving help, some are branded as witches or possessed, stigmatized, abused, and isolated,” he stated.
Comrade Dr. Zikirulahi urged the Kano State Government and health stakeholders to make mental health screening, counseling, and psychosocial support a standard part of antenatal and postnatal services.
He further stressed that it takes a mentally stable and healthy woman to birth and raise a healthy child.
CHRICED’s Contact and Mobilization Officer, Zuwaira Omar, described mental health awareness in Kano as low and burdened by denial and cultural misconceptions.
“The issue of mental health is very serious in Kano State because many people don’t even know about it, and even if they do, they are in denial.
“Some associate it with spirits or genes and believe nothing can be done, instead of going to the hospital,” Omar said.
She also raised concern over manpower shortages, noting that the major psychiatric facility serving Kano has only one psychiatrist and five psychiatric nurses.
She urged the state to fast-track the completion of its own psychiatric hospital project.
A psychiatric expert, Mulikat Mohammed, said mental health challenges among pregnant women are common and medically recognized.
According to her, Mental health is serious and should not be taken lightly among women, especially those that are pregnant.
“Many unwarranted deaths among women can be traced one way or another to mental health issues,” she revealed.
She added that proper diagnosis and support can ensure safer delivery and recovery.
“It is normal for a woman to have mental health issues. It is not a spiritual problem like many people say. They need proper care, not stigma,” she said.
Bilkisu Ibrahim a participant at the event called for more support centers and better attitudes from health workers.
She added: “Government needs to open as many centers as possible to aid women with mental health issues.
“Some health workers treat people with mental health conditions with disdain or shout at them.
“As a person with disability going through mental health issues, it is very difficult. We hope this will change.”
