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Mental, neurological and substance use disorders account for more than 10% of the global disease burden. The lost productivity resulting from depression and anxiety, two of the most common mental disorders, cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people with mental disorders receive no treatment at all for their disorder.
In Ghana, there have been efforts by the government to improve mental healthcare services at all levels. However, significant gaps remained, with only about 2% of Ghana’s 2.3 million people living with mental health conditions receiving psychiatric treatment and support from health facilities according to WHO.
To help countries like Ghana address the gaps in mental health, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health (DG-SIMH) with the vision to ensure that all people in the target population in the selected countries achieve the highest standard of mental health and well-being.
The five-year initiative supported by the Government of Norway seeks to get 100 million more people to access quality and affordable mental health in 12 countries around the world.
Ahead of the implementation in Ghana, WHO has helped Ghana to develop a national implementation plan and is currently assisting the country’s six new regions in the development of their regional plans towards effective implementation.
We need to create an environment that is conducive enough for people with mental disorders to come out and seek help at any level of the health system
“We recognize the important role of stakeholders in the implementation of this initiative”, said the WHO Noncommunicable Diseases & Risk Factors Officer in Ghana, Dr. Joana Ansong at the inception meeting for the initiative in the Western North Region of Ghana. “That is why we want the regions to map out their implementation strategies so they can own the process and strengthen partnerships to achieve universal health coverage for mental health”.
Ghana launched the initiative in July 2022 and is expected to start implementation in the third quarter of 2022 and will span five years, with the aim to improve access to integrated quality person-centred mental health care for an additional 5.2 million Ghanaians.
The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health will advance mental health policies, advocacy and human rights, and scale up quality interventions and services for individuals with mental health conditions, including substance use and neurological disorders.
For health authorities in Ghana, this initiative is a great opportunity to strengthen the mental health system whilst mobilizing communities to create an environment devoid of stigma and abuse against persons with mental health conditions.
“We need to create an environment that is conducive enough for people with mental disorders to come out and seek help at any level of the health system”, said the Western North Regional Director of Health, Dr. Marion Okoh-Owusu “This special initiative is an opportunity for us to redefine mental healthcare in Ghana”.
Indeed, whilst expressing profound gratitude for the WHO Special Initiative on Mental Health, Kyidomhene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Nana Elluo panyin III underscored the critical role traditional leaders can play to help improve mental health service delivery in Ghana.
“We need to deepen collaboration between health authorities and traditional leaders to strengthen mechanisms towards the protection of people with mental health conditions”, added Nana Elluo panyin III.
The WHO Special Initiative on Mental Health will build on the successes of other mental health interventions such as the QualityRights Initiative, which is helping to improve the quality of care and promote the human rights of people living with mental health conditions.
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Lusaka — African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region. At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate. Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths. Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden. To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential. To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access. “PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”. Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services. “This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone. The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego. PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.