Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has integrated skills training and recreational activities into Lassa fever treatment at the Bauchi State Infection Prevention Centre and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), Bauchi.
Florence Augustine, Head of the Mental Health Unit at MSF, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Bauchi.
She explained that the initiative forms part of strategies to provide mental health support for Lassa fever patients during and after treatment.
Augustine noted that many patients diagnosed with Lassa fever face various forms of stigmatization, which adversely affect their mental well-being.
“Patients sometimes experience mental health challenges such as confusion, depression, and marital problems—marital issues affect women more in most cases.
“To address this, we provide psychoeducation, problem-solving techniques, and skills acquisition such as bead-making,” she said.
She added that the centre has established a recreational unit to help reduce the psychological challenges associated with the disease.
Augustine said empowerment and counseling sessions aim to equip patients with skills to enable successful reintegration into society.
“We teach them simple bead-making skills to empower them and provide a potential source of income.
“Each patient undergoes four counseling sessions before discharge, conducted by mental health counselors at the centre,” she said.
Dr Ibrahim Maigari, Coordinator of the Lassa Fever Treatment Centre at ATBU-TH, said the disease poses a serious threat to pregnant women.
He attributed cases of maternal and infant mortality to late presentation at health facilities.
“The centre has recorded a number of pregnant women diagnosed with Lassa fever.
“However, in some cases, both the mothers and their babies survived, and the centre continues to monitor and provide care for them,” he said.
