The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving mental healthcare delivery across the state by strengthening mental health services and expanding access to quality, affordable, and timely care for residents, particularly those in underserved communities.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, stated this on Tuesday at the 2026 World Mental Health Day commemoration held at Adeoyo Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan.
She said the commemoration, organised in collaboration with valued partners, reaffirmed the collective commitment to promoting mental health, improving access to quality mental healthcare, and addressing stigma and discrimination across the state.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” the commissioner emphasised that people who have experienced mental health conditions should not merely receive interventions but should also participate in shaping the policies, programmes and services designed to support them.
She noted that the recent commencement of psychiatric clinic services at the General Hospital, Saki, represents a significant step towards decentralising mental healthcare delivery and improving residents’ access to specialised mental health services, particularly those living in areas far from major health facilities.
She urged healthcare professionals to uphold confidentiality, human rights, and person-centered care, while also encouraging families and caregivers to seek reliable information and support, while community and religious leaders, educational institutions, employers, and the media should promote accurate information and discourage stigmatizing attitudes
The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Health, remains committed to strengthening mental health services and bringing appropriate care closer to our people. The recent commencement of psychiatric clinic services at the General Hospital in Saki represents an important step toward decentralizing mental healthcare and improving access to specialist services.
Building on this progress, we will work with the Hospitals’ Management Board, the Primary Health Care Board, and other stakeholders to assess mental health service availability and access across our 33 LGAs, identify underserved locations, and develop phased interventions to address service gaps. Progress will be measured through facility availability, service utilization, and other relevant indicators.
We will also strengthen primary healthcare by building the capacity of healthcare workers to identify common mental health conditions, provide appropriate initial care, and make timely referrals. We will monitor the number of workers trained, facilities supported, and referrals completed.
Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, said that after years of professionals speaking about mental health, it was time to change the narrative by giving people living with mental health challenges a voice and ensuring that their experiences were heard.
He added that the Ministry, in collaboration with its partners and relevant stakeholders will continue to improve the management and care of people living with mental health conditions.
He noted that the prevailing economic challenges in the country were affecting everyone and could further contribute to mental health concerns.
In his contribution, Prof. V.O. Lasebikan of the New World Specialist Hospital said the hospital had remained fully committed to supporting the development of mental health services at Ring Road State Hospital.
He added that the hospital provides free services to staff of the psychiatric unit who require its assistance while it also administers electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to patients referred by the unit at no cost.
Similarly, the representative of ASIDO Foundation, Mr. Oyetunji Ayoola, stressed the need to integrate mental health into all aspects of healthcare, including maternal, child, and infectious disease services.
The 2026 World Mental Health Day commemoration, jointly organized by the Oyo State Ministry of Health, Asido Foundation, New World Specialist Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre, Slum and Rural Health Initiative, Stop Mental Health Illness Foundation (SMIF), and others, brought together healthcare professionals, civil society actors, academics, and mental health advocates to chart a path toward stronger mental health systems in the state.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
