From Premium Times Nigeria · Press Release · · 2m
Kaduna Mental Health Integration
Kaduna State leads Nigeria in mental health integration with WHO-certified programs.
In brief
Kaduna State leads Nigeria in mental health integration with WHO-certified programs. Kaduna State has integrated mental health into primary and secondary health systems, becoming Nigeria's only subnational state with WHO-certified mental health services. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Kaduna State Mental Health Integration
Governor Uba Sani states Kaduna is Nigeria's only subnational state with mental health integrated into primary and secondary health systems.
“Kaduna State is the only sub national in Nigeria that has integrated mental health into the primary and secondary health systems.”
WHO-Certified Mental Health Team
Kaduna has certified 100 doctors, nurses and pharmacists from 10 general hospitals under WHO's mhGAP program.
“Kaduna State’s first cohort of 100 doctors, nurses and pharmacists, from 10 of our General Hospitals, has been certified under the World Health Organization’s mhGAP programme.”
Mental Health Screening Services
Mental health screening is now part of maternal and child health services in Kaduna State.
“According to Governor Uba Sani, mental health screening is now part of the normal maternal and child health services in Kaduna State.”
Expanded Healthcare Access
Kaduna is extending mental health services to all 30 general hospitals and primary health care facilities across 23 local government areas.
“We are extending services to all 30 General Hospitals and to primary health care facilities in all 23 Local Government Areas, while strengthening and expanding access at the tertiary level.”
Human Rights-Focused Model
Kaduna's mental health system is described as human rights-focused, evidence-based and decentralised.
“The result of integrating mental health into primary and secondary health systems is a model of care that is human rights-focused, evidence-based and decentralised.”
State-Medical Partnership
Kaduna's mental health system operates through partnership between state and federal institutions.
“It was built on partnership between a Federal institution and a State Government working as one.”
Medical Director Recognition
Governor Uba Sani commended Medical Director Prof Aishatu Yusha’u Armiya’u for going above and beyond in service to Kaduna State.
“Governor Uba Sani commended the Medical Director of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Professor Aishatu Yusha’u Armiya’u, who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to the people of Kaduna State.”
Septic Patient Care
FNPH's Dialysis Centre is the only facility in Kaduna State that attends to septic patients who had nowhere else to go.
“Under her leadership, this hospital’s Dialysis Centre has become the only facility in Kaduna State that attends to septic patients who too often had nowhere else to go.”
Telepsychiatry Program
FNPH launched a Telepsychiatry Program allowing patients to receive mental health care from anywhere in Kaduna State.
“Uba Sani disclosed that the hospital recently launched the Telepsychiatry Programme, which allows patients to receive care wherever they may be.”
Rural Community Benefits
The Telepsychiatry Program reduces long journeys, lowers costs and ensures timely care for rural communities.
“For families in the hard-to-reach rural communities of Kaduna State, that means fewer long journeys, lower costs and care that arrives in time.”
Mental Health Week Message
Medical Director urged checking on families, friends and colleagues during Mental Health Week.
“Let us also remember that mental health is not only an individual responsibility. It is a shared responsibility. During this Mental Health Week, I encourage each one of us to take practical steps.”
Kaduna Mental Health Law
Kaduna enacted a Mental Health Law in September 2025 to protect rights of persons with mental health conditions.
“The enactment of the Kaduna State Mental Health Law in September 2025 represents an important institutional step towards protecting the rights and dignity of persons living with mental health conditions.”
Smart Digital Patient Card
FNPH introduced a Smart Digital Patient Card for easier access to medical information and electronic payments.
“The hospital has also unveiled a Smart Digital Patient Card, to provide patients with easier access to essential information, including biodata, medical history, treatment records and appointments.”
Digital Health Transition
The Smart Digital Patient Card supports electronic payments and helps FNPH transition to a paperless system.
“According to the Medical Director of FNPH, the Smart Digital Patient Card also supports electronic payments and contributes towards the hospital’s transition to a more efficient, increasingly paperless system.”
The key point
Kaduna State has integrated mental health into primary and secondary health systems, becoming Nigeria's only subnational state with WHO-certified mental health services.
