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The Mental Health Users Network of Zambia (MHUNZA ) Acting National Coordinator Mulima Kasote has expressed concern over the reported death of a person with a mental disability who was killed by his colleague at public mental health institution in Mongu.
Mr. Kasote said the killing of a mental patient by another patient is saddening especially that the incident has happened at a time when the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Mental Health Day on October,10 2014.
He said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He has since appealed to relevant authorities to thoroughly and quickly investigate the issue to ascertain the circumstances under which the death occurred.
“We would love to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, we know how it feels to lose a loved one, this is the reason why MHUNZA is lobbying for the new Mental Health Bill to be passed in Parliament to repeal the current archaic Mental Health Act of 1951,” he said.
Mr. Kasote observed that a life was lost because of lack of care and inadequate human resource to provide mental health services at the health institution.
He added that the incident is a violation of the rights and inherent dignity of persons with mental health disabilities.
Meanwhile, Mr Kasote has said his organisation together with the Ministry of Health and the Mental Disability Advocacy Centre launched a report of a human rights investigation that was done on mental health facilities and services in Zambia.
The report has revealed the degrading conditions and treatment that persons with mental health disabilities face in the country.
Mr. Kasote has urged government to upgrade all mental health facilities and support community based rehabilitation services.
