Niger, the first child neuropsychiatry department inaugurated in the national hospital of Niamey, in the country where half the population is under 15 years old

ROMA – The first department of Child Neuropsychiatry of the country, at the National Hospital in the capital. This is an event of great importance, not only because it marks the birth of a department entirely dedicated to developmental mental health, but also because it represents an innovative approach to mental health, which places the needs of the child, the teenager and their families.

Never before has such a structure existed. It should be remembered that Niger is the country with the highest fertility rate in the world and half the population is under 15 years old. Until now, there were no specialist child neuropsychiatry services, despite the high prevalence of neuro-psychiatric pathologies, such as infantile cerebral palsy and epilepsies, with their burden of mortality and disability. The new department is part of the project “Development of the National Mental Health Program in Niger“, created by Doctors for Human Rights in partnership with the National Mental Health Program (PNSM) of the Ministry of Public Health of Niger and with the Nigerian Association Alternative Citizen Spaces (AEC), thanks to the funding ofItalian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

An integral vision of health. Within the department, adequate spaces have been created and professionals trained capable of taking charge not only of mental health problems in the strict sense but also of neuropsychiatric pathologies of developmental age which are often associated with them with the consequent, and often very disabling, disability. This integral vision of health guided Doctors for Human Rights during all phases of the project. In particular, the rehabilitation room represents the most concrete expression of this approach: here, children and young people with disabilities will be able to receive treatment with modern equipment and qualified Nigerian staff accompanied by Italian specialists from MEDU.

A starting point that opens up new challenges. As underlined by the general coordinator of MEDU, Alberto Barbieri, in his speech during the opening event: “This inauguration represents not a point of arrival, but a starting point that opens up new challenges. In the coming years it will be crucial to build a territorial network that covers the entire territory of Niamey , capable of identifying the needs and neuropsychiatric pathologies of children and young people, especially the most disadvantaged ones, and guaranteeing them access to this reference center. Only then – added Barbieri – will we be able to say that the project will have fully achieved its objectives , with a view to sustainability and full access to the right to health.”