Abstract:
Introduction: globally, human rights violations of
persons with mental health conditions are
rampant, and the quality of mental health services
below that for general health services. The aim of
this paper is to document the findings of an
assessment of the quality of mental health services
at the largest mental hospital in Kenya, and
offer recommendations useful for service
transformation. Methods: this was a cross sectional study. Assessment was conducted guided
by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Quality Rights Tool Kit, which assesses for
compliance with five human rights themes drawn from the Convention on the Rights of People with
Disabilities. Trained assessors collected data
through document review, observation, and
interviews with hospital staff and service users at
Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The sample was composed of 64 interviewees.
Results: overall, the facility was scored as
“achievement initiated” indicating that there was
evidence that steps had been taken to fulfill the five
human rights themes but significant improvements
were necessary. Five key gaps emerged: 1) the
buildings and infrastructure were in a state of
disrepair; 2) staffing was inadequate; 3) patients
had no right to legal capacity; 4) there was gross
neglect of patients as well as physical and verbal
abuse; 5) there were no strategies in place to
support community reintegration and independent
living. Conclusion: significant improvements to
infrastructure, staffing, and the quality of services
are needed before the Mathari National Teaching
and Referral Hospital meets the requirements of
the Convention on the Rights of People with
Disabilities
