Ndera, October 14, 2022

Ndera Neuro-Psychiatric Teaching Hospital has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Mental Health Day, on Friday, October 14, 2022 in the Hospital’s multipurpose hall.

The ceremony was attended by staff from Ndera, Icyizere Psychotherapeutic Center and CARAES Butare, and was graced by the presence of the Division Manager of Gasabo District, Mr. Jean Marie Vianney Ntaganzwa and the Director General of Ndera Neuro-Psychiatric Teaching Hospital, Br. Charles Nkubili. Present was also Mr. Ignace Munyaneza, Social Affairs Officer at Ndera Sector, and Mr. Claver Haragirimana, the Executive Director of OPROMAMER, the local NGO advocating for former mental health service users.

This ceremony was preceded by mass for patients at CARAES Chapel at 11:00am, and exhibition of the Hospital’s activities started at 12:00PM. The heads of services were at their stands at the exhibition tent placed on the basketball court, as different visitors came to see what is done inside the Hospital, and how the mental healthcare services are provided to the patients.

In his welcome remarks, Dr Rutakayile Bizoza, Head of Psychiatry Department talked about the services provided at the Hospital, also discussing the need to promote mental wellbeing of everyone, making an emphasis on youth, who make the majority of the patients received at the Hospital. “We have a responsibility of urging the population to seek early treatment of mental illnesses,” he said.

Dr Bizoza also highlighted ongoing researches, some of which are looking for treatment of schizophrenia that the patients could take after three and six months. “It will help the patients with the mentioned disorder and it will give them hope,” he added.

Mr. Claver Haragirimana, the Executive Director of OPROMAMER, an initiative that advocates for rights of current and former mental health service users, appreciated the role of the Hospital in creation and sustainability of the organization. Many did not believe how such an organization would come to life, he recalled, but the Director General of the Hospital was among the few who understood and supported him. Mr. Haragirimana pledged to continue to advocate for mental health patients and ex service users.

Brother Charles Nkubili, commended the sacrifice and contribution of the staff in mental health care in Rwanda, and urged them to strive for professionalism ad good performance.

Br. Charles told the audience that as we celebrate the World Mental Health Day, the world is facing many mental health issues; as both at global and national levels, mental health illnesses have increased, especially drug abuse and depression disorders. That gives us a lot to do here at CAREAS Ndera, nevertheless we do have hope, he said.

Br. Charles announced that thanks to the leadership of our country, this year, the Hospital was upgraded to teaching hospital level, and the increase of number of clinical staff of the Hospital was approved. There are also residents in neurology and psychiatry who are already contributing to the development of these fields in the Hospital.

He also particularly appreciated the role of OPROMAMER in raising awareness in the community. He said: “Back in 2012, we had a sensitization programme to raise awareness among the local leaders, where every week, we had a team of doctors and social workers, who went on field for that purpose. But we found out that there are people we could work with and do it even better. OPROMAMER are our important stakeholders who help us to do advocacy on mental health.”

Mr. Jean Marie Vianney Ntaganzwa, the Division Manager at Gasabo District, discussed various reasons for the increase of the mental illnesses, change of lifestyles being among them. He called for the role of everyone to ensure that everyone is safe.

“All of us have to work together, what we as local government pledge is to talk to our people, through Assemblies of the Citizens (Inteko z'Abaturage), and other platforms bringing together families to discuss the concerning issues,” he said.

On behalf of Gasabo District, Mr. Ntaganzwa thanked the Hospital for organizing this annual event, as it is important for raising awareness, and as the mental health problems increase, he expressed his appreciation for increase the staff to handle the issues.

During the ceremony Yvonne, a member of OPROMAMER performed a song, saying how the mental diseases are treatable and that they are able to do their activities as usual after treatment, and that they are happy that their lives have improved. The members of Rwanda Mental Health Nursing Students Association (RMHNSA), who are currently in internship at the Hospital, performed a play on mental health, teaching and entertaining the audience.

^{The exhibition of Hospital services}

^{Leaders and Hospital staff posing for a group photo after the ceremony of World Mental Health Day, on October 14, 2022.}