Mental health and addiction department
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION DEPARTMENT
The role of the MHA department is to serve patients who suffer from mental health disorders, epilepsy and substance dependency.
Three psychiatric nurses are the main professionals working here.
The staff works mainly in these three main fields:
Out- patients: Patients with epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and other mental health problems coming for assessment or follow- up on regular basis.
Psychiatric in- patients: Patients hospitalized due to severe mental illness like acute psychosis or suicidal attempt. They are given beds in medical wards but are mainly being assessed and treated by MHA workers.
Substance abuse program: Residential treatment for patients with alcohol or drug dependence. The ward has room for 13 patients, who stay for 6 weeks. See below for further information about “Amani ward”.
AMANI WARD
Substance dependence, and especially alcohol, is an increasing problem in the developing countries. In Tanzania, figures from WHO indicates that about 1/5 of the male population are heavy drinkers. Also in the catchment area of Haydom health workers have noticed increasing alcohol related problems.
The administration at Haydom Lutheran Hospital wanted to meet this challenge by establishing a treatment program for alcohol dependent patients.
The ward is based on the Minnesota Model which again is closely linked to the 12 step program of the Alcoholics Anonymous. It is a six- week residential treatment program based on structured group session combined with psycho education through lectures and also individual assignments. Family members are also included in the program by being invited to a 4- day seminar. After discharge there is an 11- month follow- up program.
Amani means “peace” in Swahili, and the hope for this ward is that it will give people help to regain peace with themselves, their families and their community. [E.J.S. 27.09.09]