The Director of Pantang Hospital, Dr Yenusuom Maalug, has called on government to establish a special levy to provide sustainable financial support for mental health care in Ghana.

He stressed that such a levy would help cushion the hospital and improve service delivery for individuals battling mental health conditions.

According to him, inadequate funding had left the country’s premier psychiatric facility struggling to meet the needs of patients. 

Speaking on Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5 FM with host Kaakyire Appea-Apreku and co-host Odehyeba Kofi Essuman, Dr Maalug appealed to government to include mental health treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He explained that psychiatric drugs were very expensive, and many patients could afford them, leading to relapses and the worsening of patients conditions.

As Pantang Hospital marks its 50th anniversary, Dr Maalug urged the public to rally behind the facility to ensure it continued to provide quality mental health care.

He emphasised that mental health was a collective responsibility and appealed for both individual and corporate support for the hospital.

Additionally, Dr Maalug made a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to leave a lasting legacy by constructing a new Pantang Hospital.

He said such an initiative would not only modernise mental health infrastructure but also demonstrate a strong national commitment to addressing mental health challenges.