Akwa Ibom Assembly passes mental health bill

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly passed a law on April 7 establishing a Mental Health Services Department to enhance mental healthcare delivery. Hon. Moses Essien, the chairman of the Health Committee, stated that the law aims to protect the rights of individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities while improving access to quality mental healthcare. The legislation also repeals the outdated Lunacy Law of 1916 and empowers the Commissioner for Health to formulate necessary regulations.