Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana wants the government to establish more mental health facilities across the country.
Kibwana further wants the House to recommend that the government integrates mental health services into primary healthcare.
The lawmaker, who sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Health on the status of Mathari Mental Hospital, is also rooting for the establishment of community-based support systems for mental healthcare.
She wants the government to outline staffing levels at Mathari, stating the number of qualified mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and other essential staff currently employed, listing any challenges or gaps in staffing and measures put in place to address them.
“Indicate the budget allocation and other funding for the hospital as a proportion of the national health budget allocated to mental health services and state whether there are plans to increase funding for the hospital,” she said.
There are at least 14 health facilities in Kenya offering mental healthcare and psychiatric services.
There are also various private clinics and rehabilitation centres as well as professional bodies and organisations whose members work together to provide mental health services.
Mathari Mental Hospital is a national referral hospital for psychiatry and the main teaching psychiatric hospital.
The institution admits patients with severe psychiatric disorders who cannot afford private services and are considered too disturbed to be managed in other public facilities or in the community.
Its catchment area is largely the Nairobi urban area where the facility is located, together with the close rural and urban environs to the city.
