AN X-RAY OF THE NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ACT 2021 OF NIGERIA: OPPORTUNITIES, LIMITATIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD.

The Nigerian Mental Health Law originated as a Lunacy ordinance in 1916 and matured into Lunacy Act CAP 524 of the law of Nigeria, 1964. This review of the National Mental Health Act (NMHA) 2021 of Nigeria examines the prospects, challenges, and possible ways forward. This act has a schedule, five parts, fifty-eight sections, and many subsections. It was compared with the WHO Checklist while the limitations were examined with a view to recommending solutions and identifying the tasks ahead. The NMHA 2021 provides for enhancing and regulating Mental Health Services through a Mental health Services Department. Also, a Mental Health Assessment committee is set up as a tribunal to protect the rights of persons with intellectual, cognitive and psychosocial disabilities, including the rights to a legal representative, employment, and housing. Persons with mental health conditions are to enjoy standard services and participate in formulating their medical plans devoid of coercion. The Presidential gazetting of the act is a good starting point in a positive direction. It should be adequately implemented with the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders and domesticated by the state governments. Finally, more advocacy by the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria and other key players. A key limitation is the access to the health care facility given the rural-urban access challenges and owing to the wide treatment gap and the low Doctor-patient ratio worsened by the brain drain.