NHRC Raises Alarm Over Mental Health Abuses
* Says less than 3% covered by insurance Michael Olugbode in Abuja The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised the alarm over the treatment of Nigerians living with mental
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed deep concern over the inadequate treatment of Nigerians suffering from mental health issues. According to the commission, only three percent of people with mental health conditions in Nigeria are covered by health insurance, leaving many individuals and their families struggling with the cost of treatment.
The NHRC disclosed instances where children and adults with psychosocial disabilities were subjected to solitary confinement in Kano State, and a child was rescued in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from a woman living in inhumane conditions linked to her mental state. NHRC Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, highlighted these issues during a commemoration of the 2026 World Mental Health Day, calling for increased funding for mental healthcare, expanded access to treatment, and stronger enforcement of laws protecting the rights of affected individuals.
Ojukwu emphasized that mental health must be recognized as a fundamental human rights issue, not merely a medical concern. He stressed that people living with mental health conditions are entitled to equality, respect, appropriate medical care, and the opportunity to participate fully in society, warning that their conditions should never be grounds for exclusion, neglect, or denial of personal autonomy.
Written by urgent.news from This Day's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
