Psychiatric Bulletin (2001) 25: 455. doi: 10.1192/pb.25.11.455
© 2001 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2001) 25: 455
© 2001 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Harrogate-Zomba Mental Health Link
In May 2001 members of the Harrogate Health NHS Trust visited the Zomba
Mental Health hospital in Malawi. The focus of the visit was to familiarise
the team with the psychiatric services available in Zomba and look at the
medical input provided. The situation within the hospital and in the community
is very poor. There is no consultant psychiatrist attached to the hospital and
medical input is provided by a clinical medical officer whose level of
training is lower than that of a UK medical practitioner. In the whole country
there are five qualified psychiatric nurses and no plans have been made for
after their retirement, which is imminent. Medication is haphazard and
supplies limited. The patients are accommodated in poorly maintained
wards.
While much of what was seen during the visit was disheartening, there was a
great desire by all the staff to change things for the better. A visit to
Harrogate by staff from the Zomba Mental Health hospital is planned for late
2001, with a view to exploring links with York University and the possibility
of further training for nursing staff from Malawi. The need for medical input
is clear, but the Ministry of Health in Malawi has been unsuccessful in
recruiting psychiatrists to take up the post. However, they are very keen to
discuss the possibility of recently retired consultants from the UK taking an
interest in the development of their service and perhaps assisting them in
this. Those who would like to explore this option or obtain additional
information regarding the establishment of a further link should contact Dr
Dympna Ryan, Consultant Psychiatrist, Briary Wing, Harrogate District
Hospital, Lancaster Park Road, Harrogate HG2 7SX (tel: 01423 553 683).