By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has advocated for the integration of mental health into the Primary Healthcare (PHC) system in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the unanimous call by MWAN at the National Executive Council Meeting and Scientific Conference, Harmony 2026 organised in Ilorin.
The theme of the programme is entitled: “Mental Health and Well-being of Women Across the Life Course”
Speaking to newsmen at the sidelines of the programme, the National President of MWAN, Dr. Zainab Muhammad-Idris described the theme of the conference as apt and timely.
She observed that mental health is no longer a silent issue confined to “out clinics or councelling rooms.
“It is a public health priority, a human rights issue, and a development imperative that must be at the front burner.
“It influences how women learn, work, nurture families, contribute to society, and at the same time realize their full potential,” she said.
Muhammad-Idris stated that despite being the backbone of the families and communities, many women continue to carry invisible burdens.
She explained that women navigate gender inequities, financial pressures, insecurity , violence, discrimination, caregiving responsibilities and demanding professional expectations.
The MWAN President observed that they often place the needs of others above their own, adding that the result is an epidemic of silent suffering that tio frequently goes unnoticed, untreated and largely unappreciated.
She called for strengthening of partnerships, influence policies, expanding of community based interventions and investing in mentorship, while ensuring that mental health becomes an integral part of every programme.
Also in her address, the MWAN-Kwara President Dr Omotayo Oyinloye, called for government at all tiers to integrate mental health into PHC system.
She pointed out that this will reduce challenges of distance in accessing Specialist hospital to see a mental health specialist.
Oyinloye explained that primary healthcare physicians and medical officers can be equipped to recognize common mental health complications and treatment, or ve able to refer the patient to the next level.
Similarly, she observed that mental health is central to health, productivity, family stability and national development.
She however observed that across every stage of a woman’s life, mental health challenges of ten remain unnoticed, underdiagnosed and undertreated.
“Many women silently bear the enormous emotional burdens, navigating struggles hidden behind their smiles , because society expects women to be perpetually resilient.
“As medical women, we understand that there is no health without mental health.
“We are uniquely positioned to not only diagnose and treat illness, but also to advocate for compassionate policies, reduce stigma and ensure that women receive holistic care through every phase of life,” she said.
In her Keynote address, a Professor of Psychiatry, at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Mosunmola Tunde-Ayinmode stated that Nigeria has huge burden of people with mental health.
According to her, one out of every four Nigerian bears the burden of mental health, and that this is worsened by drugs and substance abuse.
Tunde-Ayinmode disclosed that migration or Japa syndrome of healthcare workers for greener pastures is a challenge as less than 250 Psychiatrist are actively practicing in Nigeria.
The expert pointed out that for human to function effectively, there must be physical, social and mental health, adding that if you neglect mental health, it will wreck the other two.
She therefore advise Nigerian Psychiatrists to utilise digital platform to give services to patients, adding that it is cheaper and accessible.
“Women are twice likely to have mental health challenges including anxieties and depression,” she said.
Tunde-Ayinmode noted that in Nigeria, there is the erroneous belief that it is only the people on street talking to themselves that have mental health issues.
She explained that it is one of the severe illness and that there are some people who are well dressed but going through mental health problem.
Tunde-Ayinmode therefore called for the implementation of the Mental Health Act in Nigeria, while also warning against stigmatization of patients due to cultural beliefs and ignorance.