KILLING OF A PERSON WITH A MENTAL DISABILITY IN MONGU

Our partners the Mental Health Users Network of Zambia has issued this important statement:

October 6, 2014

PRESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

RE: THE KILLING OF A MENTAL HEALTH USER IN MONGU

The Mental Health Users Network of Zambia MHUNZA is concerned at the reported death of a person with a mental disability at the hands of another mental health user in a public mental health unit in Mongu, Western Province of Zambia.

MHUNZA is appealing to the relevant authorities to thoroughly and quickly investigate this issue to ascertain the circumstances under which the death occurred.

The killing of a mental health patient by another patient whilst in a government run health institution is a stark reminder of how badly persons with mental disabilities are neglected in our country. It is even more saddening that this incident has happened at a time when we join the rest of the world in commemorating World Mental Health Day on the 10^th October, 2014.

We would love to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased. We know how it feels to lose a loved one. This is the reason why MHUNZA is lobbying for the new Mental Health Bill to be passed in Parliament to repeal the current archaic Mental Health Act of 1951.

It is regrettable that a life was lost because of lack of care and inadequate human resource to provide mental health services in the public health system. What happened in Mongu is a violation of the rights and inherent dignity of persons with mental health disabilities and is only a tip of the iceberg in as far as the challenge of mental health management is concerned in Zambia. We must all work together to put an end to this.

A few weeks ago MHUNZA working with the Ministry of Health and the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre launched a report of a human rights investigation done on mental health facilities and services in Zambia. The report documents the challenges that confront the management of mental health services in Zambia which results in incidents like these. The report reveals the degrading conditions and treatment that persons with mental health issues face in Zambia. We appeal to government to upgrade all mental health facilities and support community based rehabilitation services.

Zambia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities UNCRPD which provides for the protection of the rights of persons with mental disabilities. It is therefore important that in line with international standards Zambia should ensure the availability of community based support services and mental health services at primary level with adequate and trained mental health personnel.

Issued by:

Mulima Kasote

Acting National Coordinator

Phone: +260975403524