Chaining, starving mental health patients worsens condition

The Acting Medical Director of Ankaful Psychiatric  Hospital, Dr Julius Xatse, has cautioned faith-based healers and traditional medicine practitioners against subjecting persons with  mental health conditions to inhumane treatment.

He said practices such as chaining patients, exposing them to harsh weather conditions, poor accommodation and compulsory fasting could worsen their conditions and expose them to additional health complications.

Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of a workshop for traditional medicine practitioners and faith-based healers at Kormantse in the Central Region, Dr Xatse said some persons with mental health conditions are kept in environments that compromise their health, dignity and human rights.

He said patients are sometimes chained or locked in rooms without windows or adequate ventilation, leaving them exposed to mosquito bites and other health risks.

Dr Xatse also warned that compulsory fasting and inadequate feeding could weaken patients’ immune systems, making them vulnerable to conditions including anaemia, pneumonia and other infections.

“Sometimes they are subjected to compulsory fasting and they are starved. By the time you realise, these people will leave the place with things like anaemia and some form of pneumonia because their immune system is down. And it will give room for other illnesses and infections to also set in at the end of the day.”

Dr Xatse further expressed concern over reports of patients being physically assaulted at some healing centres, describing such practices as inconsistent with the humane treatment of vulnerable people.

He warned that such practices violate provisions of the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846), and could have legal consequences for practitioners.

Dr Xatse urged faith-based and traditional practitioners to ensure that people under their care are treated with dignity and compassion while adhering to Ghana’s legal and mental healthcare standards.

Credit: Citi News