Crisis of mental health medicines in Uganda

Although economic hardship and drought have affected people in Northern Uganda including Agago District, persons with mental disorders and epilepsy (PMDEs) continues to live healthy life because of your support. They have reliable access to mental health medicines which have not only lifted the burden of care among family caregivers but ensured consistent intake of medicines consequently steady recovery of clients on treatment.

221 PMDEs (120 F, 101M) benefited from the mental health medicines supplied by BasicNeeds to the health facilities. Cumulatively, 489 PMDEs (251F, 238M) benefited from anti-epileptic and anti-psychotic drugs which included carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and chlorpromazine.

Comments from members of the community drug bank initiative.

The economy has been so tough this year that even raising the minimum of UGX 7,000 ($2) to save in the drug bank on a monthly basis was very hard for me but because of the medicines supplied by BasicNeeds, I managed to get drugs and keep up with my dosage said a client from Apwoyo Rwot Self-Help Group (SHG)

I am grateful for the mental health medicines procured for us, it has played a significant role in my recovery process at a time when drought was striking and I could only raise money to buy foodstuffs. There was no money in the community and my health could have deteriorated without drugs supplied by BasicNeeds said a client from Makmukemi SHG in Paimol Sub County.  

Thank you for your continued support to persons with mental disorders and epilepsy (PMDEs), without your help, we couldn’t have achieved all the positive results.

As of April 2022, BNUU staff participated in drug bank activities across the four sub-counties of operation in the Agago district with the aim of bridging the gap of mental health drug shortages in the government health facilities. The team facilitated drug bank management committee meetings and conducted refresher training in running drug banks in the 6 health facilities.

 82 packs of anti-epileptic and anti-psychotic medicines were purchased and dispatched to community drug banks in the six health facilities from February to April 2022. 139 PMDEs (F=77, M= 62) received medicines from the drug bank within this period and collectively 268PMDEs (F=131, M=137) have received mental health medicines.

We are greatly honored to report that the attendance at mental health clinics in the different health facilities has significantly improved due to the regular supplies of mental health medicines. Our clients reported increased participation in productive activities such as agriculture, and business among others.

Here are quotes from some of the clients who benefited from the initiative;

"The drug bank initiative has positively influenced my clinic attendance since I always go back home with medication unlike in the past when you would come and go back home with the disappointment of no drugs". A caregiver from Lubanga Lakica Self-Help group.

"I used not to engage in serious agriculture as a result of the constant attacks which would occur due to low dosage and limited drugs at the facility. I could not afford to buy adequate drugs for a full dose. My condition had limited me from engaging in many productive activities, I was so weak and I used not to eat or even sleep. I am glad I can now go to the garden and even attend group gatherings". A client from Otam Piiwa Self-Help group in Lokole Sub County

"At the moment, I come to the clinic when am very confident that I will receive drugs and be reviewed by the health worker unlike in the past when you would come and even not get drugs, I would even feel lazy to come to the hospital since it would even make no difference". A client from Ribber ber Kubwor SHG in Kalongo Town Council.

Many thanks for supporting persons with mental disorders and epilepsy in Northern Uganda!