MODERN AND TRADITIONAL TREATMENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

MODERN AND TRADITIONAL TREATMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

M. Olatawura
Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

The African, and unsophisticated people of all races, believe in supernatural phenomena. Saint Paul, writing to the Ephesians, stated : « For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies – the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty Satanic beings and great princes of darkness who rule this world, and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world ». Issues raised above explain the prominence accorded to alternative remedies like roots, herbs, incantations and faith-healing. Faith-healing impact of the Born-Again Crusade is spreading like prairie fire all over the world, the Western World inclusive. Aloe Vera tea, Mistletoe (Viscum album) tea, etc, are now packaged like Lipton tea to treat human maladies like arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, etc.

BARRIERS TO TREATMENT IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

0. Gureje
Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

The treatments of psychotic and affective disorders have undergone major developments in the past two or three decades. Newer medications have become available and treatment guidelines have been suggested. However, for patients living in many developing countries, significant barriers remain in the receipt of adequate treatment. Many still do not believe that orthodox medical care offers a credible source of relief for mental health problems. Stigmatization of mental disorders is rife and presents an impediment to the receipt of care. Newer medications are expensive and unaffordable to most as payment for mental health service is often out-of-pocket, thus imposing a significant financial burden on patients and their relatives. Also, large sections of the community do not have access to mental health service and the filters for mental health problems at the various nodes of the health service may be almost impermeable. In this presentation, data will be reviewed that highlight the barriers to treatment for patients with mental disorders in Nigeria, a resource-rich but economically poor country.