RSPHCMB Report on Capacity Building on Improving Basic Mental Health Services

A two-day workshop addressing mental health service improvement took place September 4-5, 2024, organized by the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. The initiative targeted retraining of primary healthcare workers across Local Government Areas using the mhGAP framework. This will create the needed awareness, enhance access to mental health services, promote early detection of mental, neurological and substance use disorders according to the report. Forty-six healthcare professionals—doctors and nurses—participated. Dr. Daniel-Okachi, Director of Medical Services, emphasized mental health's importance within the broader healthcare system, noting that primary care serves populations across rural, hard-to-reach, semi-urban and urban areas. Executive Secretary Prof. Kinikanwo Green stressed commitment to quality service delivery, characterizing mental health as a big branch of health whose significance cannot be minimized. Training facilitation came from mental health specialists including Prof. Nkporbu (Consultant Neuropsychiatrist) and Dr. Wakama from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The structured curriculum addressed priority conditions including epilepsy, depression, substance use disorders, adolescent and child behavioral issues, psychoses, and other emotional complaints. Sessions included pre- and post-training evaluations. The workshop aimed to strengthen competencies in managing mental health disorders, ultimately improving patient outcomes and satisfaction at primary health centers statewide.