Better Mental Health for People with NTDs in Nigeria as a Result of Integrated Care
- Nigeria Country
- 570.663 € Investment
- 2023-25 Length
The Challenge
Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) often leave physical scars, but can often also leave invisible ones.
For NTD treatments to be effective, specific actions that address mental health must be taken into account to reduce the suffering of associated mental illnesses; this will help to tackle the stigma that women, men and children with NTDs face in the community.
Moreover, several studies have found that gender-specific factors exist that affect the mental health of women who live with any of these diseases. For these reasons, the prevention, promotion, treatment and rehabilitation services aimed at the many different NTDs and their different facets of care must include mental health.
The solution
In conjunction with IDEA Nigeria and CBM Community Mental Health, this initiative will support the Nigerian government and other civil society organisations to develop and pilot-test a comprehensive intervention to integrate mental health and NTDs. A series of NTD-related, mental health interventions will be piloted in order to adapt their effectiveness, learning from one another by sharing best practices. The aim is to:
- Improve the Ministry of Health’s governance, technical assessment and coordination to inclusively implement the mental health components of Nigeria’s NTD Master Plan.
- Develop an intervention model to improve access to integrated mental health care and to social and livelihood programmes for people living with NTDs in Nigeria.
- Gather evidence for learning, and to inform the scaling up of integrated mental health care.
Impact
This project will test a model of integrated mental health care that links civil society and government services.
In addition, it will provide a framework to ensure a sustainable change of model and harness elements of the health system such as health workers, the supply of medicines and the health information system.
Furthermore, this integration is also expected to increase the use of general public health services for care delivery.
Related projects
See other projects where we fight Neglected Tropical Diseases
A clinical trial to reduce the treatment time for the Buruli ulcer by half
After decades combatting the Buruli ulcer, which affects thousands of people in over 33 countries, we are still unaware of its exact mode of transmission. We know it is related to environments with stagnant and unsafe water.
Strengthening the African network of laboratories for Buruli ulcer research
There are currently no unified protocols for detecting Buruli ulcer. Although the WHO sets guidelines for the control of NTDs, many laboratories in Africa do not have standardised protocols for sample collection and subsequent screening and diagnosis of these diseases.
Simultaneous diagnosis of five skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs)
Through this initiative, we are contributing to strengthening public health systems, from small aid stations in the remotest villages to health centres in reference-point towns.
A New Early Detection System for Buruli Ulcer
This will increase early detection, reducing the number of severe cases of the disease, and in turn will lower expenses for patients and their families as there will be fewer severe cases requiring intensive care.
An Initiative to Find Innovative Interventions for the Comprehensive Treatment of NTDs
These lessons learnt in Liberia can also be applied to other settings in the region, thereby contributing to a regional exchange of scientific knowledge. Finally, the findings could also be adopted into public health policies in Liberia.
Support for Leprosy Research Teams Via the Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI)
These lessons learnt in Liberia can also be applied to other settings in the region, thereby contributing to a regional exchange of scientific knowledge. Finally, the findings could also be adopted into public health policies in Liberia.
Creating Scientific Research Opportunities on NTDs for Young Professionals from Countries Where these Diseases Are Endemic
Encouraging young researchers in countries where skin NTDs are endemic will contribute to the development of a new generation of scientists who will be better able to understand and manage the challenges of these diseases.
Reducing Stigma and Disabilities
Via this research project we seek to guarantee the Right to Health of people with disabilities, with a special focus on those with NTDs in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin.
A New Clinical Study to Improve the Treatment of Leprosy and Prevent its Harmful Side Effects
Via this study, we will enhance capacity-building, strengthen active integrated case detection, as well as enable early detection and accurate diagnoses.
