By Charles Maduka
The Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria has raised concerns about the absence of routine mental health screening at primary healthcare centres across the country.
Speaking during a press conference in Lagos to mark the 2025 World Family Doctor Day, the president of SOFPON, Dr Blessing Chukwukelu, described the situation as worrisome. She noted that many healthcare providers at the community level are not adequately equipped or trained to detect early signs of mental illness.
She explained that without routine screening, many mental health conditions go undetected and untreated, especially at the primary care level where family doctors are often the first and only point of contact for many Nigerians.
Chukwukelu emphasized that this year’s theme, ‘Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,’ reflects the urgent need to support both patients and healthcare professionals dealing with increasing mental health challenges.
She advocated for the use of simple and validated tools like the General Health Questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire, which she said have been successfully tested in some Nigerian settings for early detection of mental illness.
She also addressed the stigma associated with mental health in Nigeria, pointing out that this cultural barrier continues to prevent many from seeking help, leading to delayed diagnoses and avoidable suffering.
Dr Sixtus Ozuomba, Chairman of SOFPON in Lagos, also called for urgent attention to the mental wellbeing of healthcare professionals, noting that increasing societal pressure is affecting doctors. He warned that if a doctor’s mental health is compromised, patient care can be severely affected.
Ozuomba also lamented the continued migration of medical professionals abroad, saying the country is losing the same family physicians it invests heavily to train.
In his remarks, Dr Funsho Oladipo, Managing Director of R-Jolad Hospital, reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to promoting family medicine and enhancing community health services.
The event included a health walk, free consultations, screenings, and treatments. World Family Doctor Day, celebrated every year on May 19, was established by the World Organisation of Family Doctors to honour the vital contributions of family doctors and to call for stronger investment in family medicine worldwide.
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