By Hou Akot Hou
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State Ministry of Health has begun rendering mental health services to psychologically retarded individuals in the state.
Lual Aleu Jok, the state’s health focal point, told this outlet that they have started offering services to individuals with psychological illnesses in the state.
Aleu underscored that three main service centers, including Aweil Town, have been opened for people who are mentally disturbed, adding that the services are free of charge.
“We have Aweil South County based in Malek-Alek, Nyamlel in Aweil West County, and Malualkon in Aweil East County. People have to go there and seek out the services,” said Aleu.
He urged those with ill patients to take them to those designated centers to get health support.
He emphasized that those who will be given the services include those who are highly traumatized and need counseling, as they have trained personnel for such cases.
Mr. Aleu noted that the war has contributed a lot to mental health aspects in addition to the economic problems that people face.
He said international organizations such as the Malaria Consortium, Health Net, the International Rescue Committee, and the IRC have allied with the MOH, which gave them drugs that help reduce the severity of the cases among mentally ill patients, in addition to counseling.
Lual stressed that war, coupled with the economic crisis, has contributed a lot to mental illness among individuals.