National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric, Hospital, Kaduna, to train patients with mental health issues.
This is in line with the digital inclusion strategy of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy.
The partnership would ensure that the mentally impaired patients undergo specialised Information Technology skills as part of their rehabilitation process.
These skills would be beneficial to them and make them relevant and useful to society.
‘ICT skills could reduce substance abuse’
The Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof Abdulkarim Yusuf, during a visit to NITDA, made some requests.
The requests include internet connectivity, computer facilities, and specialised training for patients of the hospital.
“It has become necessary we come to you because our mandates require the provision of education for nursing and postgraduate students.
“Above all, due to the nature of the illness of our patients, there is a need to instill ICT teaching in them,” he said.
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He said that the majority of the patients of the hospital suffer mental issues because of drug and substance abuse.
Prof Yusuf suggested that training them on digital skills would drastically reduce their frequent consumption of substances.
“Doing this will have multiplier effects on their well-being and would make them acquire skill.
“And by that, we will be achieving our mandates of providing are and service to them,” he observed.
NITDA’s pledge
Director-General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, assured of the Agency’s help.
He said that the capacity of the staff and that of the patients would be enhanced in line with the digital inclusion strategy of the Agency.
“We have been doing this for prisoners, People Leaving with Disabilities, women and children but we never had the opportunity to train your patients.
“I think this is an opportunity we should explore because we don’t want anyone to lag behind,” he added.
He enjoined the hospital to identify the digital skills the staff and the patients would likely need.
This is to allow the Agency could come up with modalities.
He said, “NITDA is established to develop the IT sector general.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of the status benefited from what we are doing.
“This is part of our digital inclusion strategy.”
Abdullahi stated further that if rehabilitated, mental case patients can become beneficial to society.
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