Lagos Psychiatric Hospital records 100% admission increase – reports

The number of psychiatric patients admitted to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba increased by 100% in 2023, according to hospital records.

This was announced by the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, during the hospital’s annual scorecard presentation on Wednesday in Lagos under the theme “A Day With the Medical Director.”

According to Owoeye, the overall number of new cases rose by 7%, although the number of male and female follow-up patients increased by 3%.

He claims that the rise in admittance cases is related to the nation’s increasing number of mental health cases, which are a result of the present economic difficulties along with other socioeconomic problems.

He said, ” It can be deduced that in 2023, the total number of all patients attendance increased by three per cent. There was a seven per cent increase in new cases attended, compared to no increase in 2022.

“We also have a 100 per cent increase in admission cases in which the drug abuse cases is 10 per cent increase and discharge cases is reduced by 10 per cent.”

Owoeye highlighted the construction of the hospital’s administrative building in Yaba, as well as the repair of internal roadways and drainage systems in both the Yaba and Oshodi annexes, among other accomplishments during the period under consideration.

The physiotherapy department has been upgraded, the hospital’s telepsychiatry centre is still under development, hospital ward rehabilitation, the Yaba and Oshodi annexe, and ongoing construction on the hospital’s outpatient clinic are among the other things he mentioned.

“Under my watch as the medical director, major developmental projects were facilitated at different stages and times both in Yaba and Oshodi annexe which has greatly improved the pictorial state and aesthetics value of the hospital as well as health service delivery compared to what it was in the time past.

“This had been made possible with funds released by the Federal Government for capital projects,” Owoeye said.

Owoeye determined that the hospital’s two main problems in the year under evaluation, 2023, were a lack of funds and manpower.

As per his statement, the hospital’s workforce has been greatly impacted by the recent departure of medical experts from the nation in pursuit of the fabled “greener pasture.”

He emphasized the pressing necessity of establishing a system for replacing people who had departed and removing bureaucratic obstacles by approving replacements for those who had left the system.

Regarding the future, Owoeye stated that efforts would be made to improve staff training and manpower development, with a focus on the welfare of the workforce.

“In 2024, every effort will be made to ensure that all ongoing projects in the hospital are completed within the time frame.

“It is expected that the completion of these projects will further enhance the quality of mental health care service delivery in the hospital. We hope to embark on more new projects in 2024.

“With prudent management of the available resources, every effort will be made to attend to the welfare of the staff. It will be on the front burner of the management in 2024,” Owoeye said.