@article{fcac013b15e743c49bcde65b4cbf648e,
title = "A new era for mental health care in Nigeria",
author = "Aluh, {Deborah Oyine} and Onu, {Justus Uchenna} and {de Almeida}, {Jos{\'e} Miguel Caldas}",
note = "Funding Information: Inadequate financing is the biggest challenge to mental health system governance in most low-income and middle-income countries. 3 The law recognises this substantial problem and proposes a solution by creating a Mental Health Fund to provide financial resources for the objectives of the National Mental Health Act 2021. The fund is expected to be financed through money approved from the National Assembly and the Ministry of Health, and through donations. On May 19, 2022, Nigeria also passed a law establishing the National Health Insurance Authority, making health insurance mandatory and creating a dedicated fund for vulnerable populations, including people with physical or mental health conditions, children younger than 5 years, people who are pregnant, and older adults. Considering the substantial issue of out-of-pocket spending for mental health care in the country, these funding schemes inspire some hope for the successful implementation of mental health law. However, it is unclear to what extent the Vulnerable Fund would adequately care for the intended population, given that the number of Nigerians who can afford health insurance is steadily declining as the proportion of the population living in poverty increases. 4 ",
year = "2023",
month = apr,
doi = "10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00071-8",
language = "English",
journal = "The Lancet Psychiatry",
issn = "2215-0366",
publisher = "Elsevier",
}
