Biography
Biography: Sylvester Katontoka
Abstract
Mental illness has for long been on the edge hence allowing a number of serious human rights violations. At end are children, women, elderly, minority population and poor communities. Two NGOs, MHUNZA and MDAC teamed up and against all odds and carried out an investigation, looking at the reality of people’s lived experience through the lens of international human rights law. The mission was undertaken from 2011 to 2014. Using the UN Convention on the Rights of with Disabilities as a tool, uncovered evils. Research on mental health services was conducted, from the year’s 2011to 2013 in five provinces ill treatment, violations both in conventional and traditional settings uncovered. Human rights and mental health in Zambia Report 2014 was published. Five psychiatric hospital, five traditional healing centers and a settlement were visited Collected and publicized disaggregated data of ill-treatment observed provided a momentum to policy-makers to undertake reforms. Baseline data sets the tone for action, to evaluate the effectiveness of legislation, policies, monitor the quality and efficacy of services and respond to social and health conditions. Such effort will explore and give priority to mental health research, and move it from margins to center of health and social policy, to recruit and train social scientists and health workers who are knowledgeable about mental health findings and committed to the improvement of mental health services. The agenda for action and research for scientific knowledge base to examine primary prevention activities must be pursued by all.