Abstract:
The rising number of patients with Covid-19 as well as the infection control measures
have affected healthcare service delivery, including mental healthcare. Mental healthcare
delivery in low and middle income countries where resources were already limited are
likely to be affected more during this pandemic. This paper describes the efforts of
ensuring mental healthcare delivery is continued in a referral hospital in Kenya, Moi
Teaching and Referral hospital, as well as the challenges faced. These efforts are guided
by the interim guidelines developed by the Kenyan ministry of health. Some of the
adjustments described includes reducing number of patients admitted, shortening the
stay in the inpatient setting, using outdoors for therapy to promote physical distancing,
utilization of electronic platforms for family therapy sessions, strengthening outpatient
services, and supporting primary care workers to deliver mental health care services.
Some of the challenges include limited ability to move about, declining ability for patients
to pay out of pocket due to the economic challenges brought about by measures to
control Covid-19, limited drug supplies in primary care facilities, inability to fully implement
telehealth due to connectivity issues and stigma for mental health which results in poor
social support for the mentally ill patients. It is clear that current pandemic has jeopardized
the continuity of usual mental healthcare in many settings. This has brought to sharp
focus the need to decentralize mental health care and promote community based
services. Meanwhile, there is need to explore feasible alternatives to ensure continuity
of care
