KAMPALA- According to Butabika Hospital’s Executive Director, Dr Juliet Nakku, the facility is overwhelmed by a surge in mental health patients, far exceeding the capacity of its psychiatric staff. The hospital, designed for 550 beds, is currently operating at double capacity, with a disproportionate number of young people seeking treatment.
“Speaking to this reporter Dr Nakku has expressed concern over the increasing number of people living with mental illness, with the majority of affected patients being youth. “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our patient admissions were below 900. However, we’ve witnessed a rapid surge in admissions since the pandemic. The numbers initially increased to 1,000 and have now surpassed 10,300 patients admitted,” Dr. Nakku stated.
She explained that the majority of patients being treated for mental illness at the hospital are young people, with many cases attributed to drug addiction. “Children under 18 are increasingly struggling with mental health issues, driven by anxiety, depression, and excessive alcohol use, ultimately leading to hospitalization,” Dr. Nakku noted.
She has urged the government to intensify public awareness campaigns about the dangers of substance abuse among young people. Dr. Nakku made the revelation during the 5th annual Butabika Christmas Festival, where Soul Foundation Uganda, a non-governmental organization advocating for mental health awareness, provided a festive meal for patients and staff.
//Cue in; “Dr Nakku………….…
Geraldin Ssali, Executive Director of Soul Foundation, explained that the celebration aims to show love, support, and care to the patients at Butabika Hospital. She noted that many patients come from distant areas and often do not receive visitors during festive seasons, making the event even more meaningful.
“We receive donations of food and gifts from companies and individuals, which we use to prepare a special meal for all the patients. We then spend time with them and the doctors, showing love and care to these individuals who are struggling with their conditions,” Opoka explained.
She explains that the organization’s goal goes beyond providing emotional support to patients, but also striving to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness but also that of Butabika Hospital, which is often misunderstood and feared by the community.
//Cue in; “ Geraldin Sali………
According to Butabika Hospital records, the primary causes of mental illness among adolescents and adults are substance abuse such as drugs, alcohol and depression. Other contributing factors include epilepsy, HIV, and other infectious diseases that affect the brain. Additional risk factors identified include head trauma, advanced age, and socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, war, natural disasters, and pandemics.
