Stakeholders discuss rights of people with mental disabilities

The National Organization of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry in Rwanda (NPOSPR), yesterday, met with other stakeholders to discuss means of promoting the rights of people with mental disabilities. The meeting drew participants from various human rights organizations, private and public institutions and the Ministry of Health. Addressing the media, the Director of NPOSPR, Sam Badege, said that according to the organization’s survey, people who at one time had mental disability are not only isolated but are also denied their rights. “Due to misconception in our society, some people believe that once a person has a mental case, they never gain the ability to actively participate in development activities,” Badege said. “Many such people have been denied employment, among other responsibilities, even when medical reports prove they are normal”. Though Badege noted that government had played a significant role in supporting people with various forms of disabilities, more needed to be done in protecting freedom and rights. A Social psychologist from Ndeera Psychiatric Hospital, Narcisse Ntazinda, said that mental disability can be treated although its cause has a significant determinant on getting cured. “To prove that a person has been treated and cured, the hospital satisfies his mental status by issuing a certificate,” Ntazinda said. “Mental cases are just like any other forms of disease that can be treated and people get back their normal senses.” On behalf of the Health Ministry, Christelle Bwiza, said the government has carried out a pilot project to sensitize the public on mental health and its treatment. “We want people to understand that mental cases should immediately be reported since they can be treated,” Bwiza said. With the help of community health workers, the pilot project started in Nyamata, Kibungo, Kibuye and Cyangugu Districts. Ends