ACCRA PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL SETS UP SATELLITE CLINICS TO CURB SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The Accra Psychiatric Hospital has taken a major step in the fight against substance abuse by inaugurating satellite clinics aimed at extending mental health and addiction treatment services across the country. This initiative is part of a broader effort to decentralize mental healthcare and ensure easier access for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.

The new satellite clinics are strategically located to bring services closer to communities, particularly in areas where access to mental health facilities has traditionally been limited. These clinics will offer a range of support services, including addiction counseling, rehabilitation, medical assessments, and long-term follow-up care for individuals recovering from substance abuse.

Officials from the hospital emphasized that the growing prevalence of drug use and addiction, especially among the youth, necessitated a more proactive and community-centered approach. By easing the burden on the main facility in Accra, the satellite clinics will also help reduce patient overcrowding and improve the quality of care.

This initiative aligns with the goals of Ghana’s National Mental Health Policy, which advocates for the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare and the expansion of community-based treatment options. The move is also consistent with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, which supports decentralized mental health systems to improve early intervention and treatment outcomes.

Health authorities hope that this new approach will not only improve recovery rates but also reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction treatment in Ghana.