Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute to Promote Mental Health

Nairobi,

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

KNA by Carol Mawia/ Michael Omondi

Leading experts and stakeholders in neuroscience and mental health have come together to explore innovative solutions and strategies to promote brain health in low and middle-income countries at a Conference in Nairobi organized by the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute on Healing the Brain.

The objectives of this year’s conference are to facilitate the exchange of pioneering brain health research and inform evidence-based practices, raise awareness of the current state of brain health and challenges faced during care provision in low and middle-income countries, and foster collaborations among stakeholders to promote the integration of brain health into overall health systems.

The Founding Director of Brain and Mind Institute (BMI), Prof Zul Merali stated that their operational model is to strengthen neuroscience and mental health research and interventions through capacity building and partnerships connecting the rich steps of academic research and health care entities.

“Our focus is on brain health and mental health,” he emphasized.

In comparison, the President of the Aga Khan University Dr. Suleiman Shahabuddin said that globally, mental health receives two percent funding in middle-income countries and one percent in lower-income countries.

Further, Dr Shahabuddin added that Africa’s mental health constitutes two percent mental health research yet it has the highest leading suicidal cases in the continent.

“If we spend time on multi-second prevention and see the opportunities created by digital technology, then we can spare regions from suffering,” he urged.

 Aga Khan University CEO, Rashid Khalani said that it would be pivotal for scientists, clinicians, and researchers to conduct local research that would help to develop treatments for mental health that are relevant to the local population.

At the same time, the Vice Chair in the Office of Research at Aga Khan University Prof Salim Virani elaborated more on how people have come across brain issues by citing that the majority from the global north and the global south have come together to collaborate and talk about the mental wellbeing and curb the issue.

He urged members to partner and learn from each other to know how best they are going to fight depression amongst themselves and the communities at large.

Courtesy; KNA