Kisii: Mentally ill patients and those with drug addiction in the South Nyanza region are poised to benefit from a mental health and rehabilitation facility that has been opened in Kisii town. Oasis Specialist Hospital has launched the center, dubbed 'Oasis Specialist Mental and Rehabilitation Center,' at the existing premises in the county headquarters to cater to the increasing number of mentally ill patients in the area.
According to Kenya News Agency, the hospital director, Dr. Kepha Othiambo Makanyengo, noted that the move was a milestone, coming after the initiation of the hospital 15 years ago. Dr. Makanyengo, who is also one of the hospital's founders, described the center as important, highlighting that mental health issues were not recognized globally until the establishment of the World Health Organization. He expressed concern over patients being hidden from society, which exacerbates their situations, and appealed to residents to seek help at the facility.
Psychiatrist Fridah Gesiora emphasized the importance of awareness creation, stating that at least one in every four people had a mental issue. Gesiora noted that Kenya is currently ranked fourth among countries with the highest cases of depression and urged medics to handle mental illness like any other disease, dispelling myths that it is related to witchcraft. She cited symptoms such as sleeplessness, mood swings, emotional imbalance, isolation, and suicidal tendencies and mentioned that the facility has a confinement section for aggressive and suicidal patients.
Harriet Wambui, a psychologist, noted that addiction and mental illness impact not only the patient but also their family and community. Wambui explained that the facility is set to offer holistic care, including occupational therapy, counseling, speech therapy, and psychiatry, without making referrals. She highlighted that all insurances cover mental illnesses, with some also covering addiction, and urged society to present their loved ones for treatment instead of leaving them on the streets.
Wambui added that the center has a capacity of 35 inpatients at a time, managed by three psychologists, two clinical officer psychiatrists, and one consultant psychiatrist. She identified causes of mental illness as genetics, stress, job issues, and personality, with the most affected age group being 15 to 29 years, where suicide is the leading cause of death.
Patrick Bosire, the hospital administrator, stated that Oasis Hospital is a multidisciplinary hospital that, apart from the mental health wing, also addresses other illnesses such as gynecology, surgeries, laboratories, and oncology.