In a groundbreaking development for mental healthcare in Southeast Nigeria, the Seraphic Homes Foundation under Zion Prayer Movement Outreach has commissioned a N1.6 billion psychiatric hospital in Aguleri, Anambra State, dedicated to providing completely free treatment for mentally-challenged individuals abandoned on the streets.
Comprehensive Free Care for Mental Health Patients
The spiritual director of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, revealed that the new facility will offer comprehensive medical support including diagnosis, treatment, medication, rehabilitation, accommodation and general welfare - all at absolutely no cost to patients or their families. This initiative marks a significant step in addressing mental health challenges in the region.
Obi explained that the project was motivated by his childhood vision to eliminate the distressing sight of mentally-ill persons wandering Nigerian streets, noting that such conditions are rarely seen in developed nations. "We want to restore dignity and provide proper care for those who have been neglected by society," the cleric emphasized during the commissioning ceremony attended by Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.
Rescue Operations and Immediate Impact
Starting from next month, the foundation will deploy specialized rescue teams equipped with four vehicles to systematically comb through Anambra communities, identifying and transporting mentally-ill persons to the facility for treatment. This proactive approach aims to reach the most vulnerable individuals who cannot seek help themselves.
The hospital has already admitted its first two patients - a man rescued from Nteje community and a woman who previously roamed the streets of Onitsha Main Market. Both patients underwent immediate assessment by psychiatric doctors and health professionals who commenced treatment promptly. They are now receiving full care, accommodation and medication completely free of charge.
Expanding Humanitarian Mission Across Southeast
The Aguleri psychiatric hospital represents the latest in a series of humanitarian projects by the Seraphic Homes Foundation. This follows the recent completion of an orphanage and elderly home in Mgbirichi, Imo State, designed to provide comprehensive support for vulnerable populations including orphans and elderly persons without family support.
According to Evangelist Obi, similar facilities are planned for other parts of Nigeria as part of the foundation's broader mission to uplift disadvantaged families. The organization provides not just shelter but also healthcare, education, skills development and caregiver training, creating sustainable support systems for those in need.
The commissioning of this state-of-the-art mental health facility signals a new era in healthcare philanthropy in Nigeria, particularly in addressing the often-stigmatized area of mental health treatment through completely free, comprehensive care services.
