Crisis of mental health medicines in Uganda

Thank you so much for supporting the community drug bank initiative. Your support restored hope in the lives of persons with mental illness and epilepsy and their caregivers for example;

A caregiver from Lobo Rac self-help group in Wol Sub County, Agago District said the drug bank initiative ensured the recovery of his son who originally dropped out of school because of constant epilepsy attacks. She said,

“I used to rely on local herbs to treat my 12 years old son who dropped out of school 4 years ago but when BNUU enrolled him in treatment, he recovered and has gone back to school. He never missed his medication because medicines were always available and this boosted his recovery.  Before the community drug bank initiative, my son’s recovery was very slow as anti-epileptic medicines were often out of stock at the health facility, and I couldn’t afford to buy them from the drug shops. I am so much grateful for supporting our initiative and making medicines available.”  

BNUU team conducted home and school visits to ensure adherence to medication and a friendly school environment free from stigma and discrimination consequently improving his performance at school.

Overall, 123 (67F, 56M) persons with mental illness and epilepsy benefited from the community drug bank initiative between August and December 2022. Cumulatively, 612 (318F, 294M) received anti-psychotic and anti-epileptic medications. The medications they received, and regular home visits conducted by BNUU Counsellors and the psychiatric nurse ensured recoveries.