ADVOKS GLOBAL · KENYA
Mental Health Act
2C. Obligations of National Government
Edition: 2023-12-11 · In force
2C. Obligations of National Government
The National Government shall -(a)provide the necessary resources for the provision of mental health care and treatment at National referral health facilities;(b)collaborate with the county governments in—(i)the development of the necessary physical and technological infrastructure for the care, rehabilitation and provision of health services to persons with mental illness;(ii)expanding and strengthening community and family-based care and support systems for persons with mental illness;(iii)expanding and strengthening community and family-based care and support systems for vulnerable persons;(c)put in place mechanisms to ensure the rights of persons with mental illness are realised including mechanisms for outpatient comprehensive cover for mental health care and continued care for mental illness;(d)adopt a comprehensive national strategy and plan of action and policies to promote the realisation of the rights of persons with mental illness under Article 43 of the Constitution and put in place measures designed to improve the general welfare and treatment of persons with mental illness;(e)develop standards to be maintained by mental health facilities including—(i)the number of qualified health professionals required to serve a mental health unit including the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical officers who specialise in psychiatry, psychiatric nurses, counsellors, occupational therapists and allied health workers;(ii)the type and quantity of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment required by a mental health unit; and(iii)the medication and methods of care, rehabilitation and treatment to be administered to persons with mental illness;(f)develop community-based programmes for the continued care and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness;(g)promote research, data collection, analysis and the sharing and dissemination of information on the welfare of persons with mental illness in the Republic;(h)carry out sensitization programmes on and promote access to information on the care and management of persons with mental illness;(i)develop and implement strategies and programmes to curb stigma related to mental health and mental health care and treatment; and(j)implement programmes and strategies to guarantee students access information on mental health, mental health care and treatment.