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STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH SYSTEM TO ENHANCE MENTAL HEALTH IN ZAMBIA: A POLICY BRIEF

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2012

Lonia Mwape ,
Prudencia Mweemba  and
Joseph Kasonde
Lonia Mwape
Affiliation:
Zambia Forum for Health Research (ZAMFORH) Email: [email protected]
Prudencia Mweemba
Affiliation:
Zambia Forum for Health Research (ZAMFORH)
Joseph Kasonde
Affiliation:
Zambia Forum for Health Research (ZAMFORH)
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Abstract

Background: Mental illness constitutes a large proportion of the burden of disease in Zambia. Yet mental health services at the primary care level are either provided in a fragmented manner or are lacking altogether.

Methods: A literature review focused on terms including mental health and primary care and strategic options were analyzed.

Results: From the analysis, two options were considered for integrating mental health into primary health care. An incremental option would start with a pilot project introducing mental health services into primary care with a well-designed evaluation before scaling up. One key advantage of this option is that it is possible to make improvements in the plan, if needed, before scaling up. A comprehensive option would entail introducing mental health services into primary care in all nine provinces of Zambia. In this option, scaling up could occur more rapidly than an incremental approach.

Conclusions: Strategies to implement either option must address several barriers, including insufficient funding for mental health services, inadequate mental health indicators, lack of general public awareness of and social stigma attached to mental illnesses and mental health care not being perceived as cost-effective or affordable.

Keywords

Mental healthMental health servicesIntegrationIncrementalComprehensiveZambiaPrimary carePolicy brief
Type
POLICIES
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , July 2012 , pp. 294 - 300
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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