A Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Taiwo Obindo, has decried the high cost of care and drugs for individuals undergoing treatment for mental health conditions, calling for interventions to reverse the trend.
Obindo, immediate past President of the Association of Psychiatrists of Nigeria (APN), made the call in an interview with reporters on Friday in Lagos.
He said patients, especially those accessing mental healthcare services, struggle to keep up with treatment costs.
“The cost of healthcare in Nigeria has become so high that the average person cannot afford needed care. Many pharmaceutical companies have downsized or relocated, causing drug prices to quadruple compared to previous levels,” Obindo said.
He added that inflation, economic downturn, and removal of fuel subsidies have further increased hospital and drug costs.
Obindo warned that many patients, particularly those with substance use disorders, cannot adhere to medication or prescriptions due to financial constraints. This, he said, negatively affects treatment outcomes.
“Failure to follow prescriptions or under-dosing medication can lead to relapse, more severe symptoms, strained family relationships, and reduced productivity, ultimately affecting the economy,” he said.
To address the issue, Obindo called for restructuring and expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover at least 80% of the population. He also urged that the scheme include most mental healthcare medications and that the government subsidize drug importation while providing incentives to local pharmaceutical companies.
“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure citizens are healthy. People in rural areas often travel to cities for mental healthcare, increasing costs and sometimes leading them to alternative medicine. Integrating mental healthcare fully into Primary Health Care is necessary for broader access,” he said.
