The General Secretary of UNESCO/ICESCO in Uganda Dr Agoi Rosie says that Uganda, Africa and the world at large would never achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals in totality if the mental state of the actors are not correct.
She says this calls for the concerted efforts from governments, development partners and all stakeholders towards extending adequate mental health services to a section of people who are in need of these services, because these are people that are bound to be left behind yet the SDGs talks about leaving no one behind.
‘’We may be talking about achieving SDG number 4, lifelong learning and so on leaving no one behind, but if we have a section of the population that is not mentally okay, this will be the section left behind. This means that mental health is very important. Or if we have people in leadership that have issues and they are not driving our agenda correctly and they need mental health support and yet the facilities when these facilities are not really adequate enough we shall also have certain sections left behind’’ she said
She made remarks while handing over a donation of assorted equipment and items worth USD 7000 to the Butabika Mental National Referral Hospital Courtesy of Afro Arab Youth in partnership with Islamic world educational, science and cultural organization and Uganda National commission for UNESCO.
‘’In line with our work with the youth, we have found mental health to be plaguing many young people and affecting their families too. The most recent review of people affected by mental health prevalence studies in Uganda found that 22.9% of Ugandan children below the age of 18 years, and 24.2% of adults were suffering with a mental illness. This week being world suicide prevention week marked for 10th September every year since 2003, AAYC in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Science and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), through Uganda National Commission for UNESCO/ICESCO are making a 7000$ donation to Butabika National Referral Hospital in support of their work towards general and specialized mental health treatment and care in the areas of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Psycho-trauma and Child and Adolescent mental health care to the population of Uganda’’. Said Hon Dr. Abbas Agaba during the donation
‘’This donation has come out of our partnership with ICESCO/UNESCO with whom we brokered a framework for cooperation and signed an MOU earlier this year in March. The MOU facilitates collaboration between the two Parties in the areas of common interest such as; Education, Science and technology, Culture and Heritage, Peace and conflict resolution, Health and wellness. With this donation, we hope to make our mark as AAYC in the work that we are doing for the development of the youth today’’. He added.
According to him, in other areas of their work, plans are currently underway for the construction of AAYC’s international Headquarters in Nakawuka that will house an office block, international sports stadium, a hotel and its attendant recreational facilities, a University of Science and Technology, as well as an African and Arab Cultural Heritage Centre.
‘’The 50 acres of land was donated to us by our patron, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He has gone an extra mile further to support our fundraising efforts in liaison with his colleague Heads of State of the Afro Arab Youth Council member states through their Embassies here in Uganda. We have visited many of the Embassies and have been met positively with the Heads of mission pledging their support to help us realize this big project that we have embarked on. This project will further create jobs for thousands of Ugandan and international youths, starting with the construction, and later staffing of the facilities that will employ many more, and eventually serve Afro-Arab Youth worldwide’’. He said.
Items that were donated includes, 02 Brand New Laptops for Data management , 04 10,000L Water Tanks with overflow components, Rechargeable Electric lights, Solar Lights, Electric torches, Led rechargeable lights , Sanitary Pads, Babies Powdered milk, Solid & Liquid Soap, Salt ,Rice ,Posho ,Sugar Beans ,Cooking oil.
The donation was received by Dr Byamah Mutamba, deputy executive director on behalf of the hospital. In his remarks, Dr Mutamba Mental Health and related problems are an increasing public burden that needs a holistic approach to tackle.
