Meeting

On August 4th and 5th, 2009, the IOM Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders collaborated with the Forum on Health and Nutrition of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences to convene an international workshop on quality of care issues for mental health and neurological disorders in sub-Saharan Africa.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders to assess the current state of the quality of care for neurological, mental, and substance use disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognizing both the importance of high quality care for brain disorders and the economic limitation of most sub-Saharan African countries in diagnosing and treating these disorders,the workshop identified and discussed potential programs of action that could be implemented in cost-effective and efficient manners to improve care of neurological, mental, and substance use disorders. Dialogue at the workshop was intended to emphasize the need for national, evidence-based policies addressing quality of care for these disorders. Key areas of emphasis were to:

- Discuss opportunities that can be used to better ensure continuity of care and sustainability within a country’s health care system;
- Identify resources that are presently available or could be made available, in cost-effective and efficient manners, to aide in implementation of treatments and prevention projects;
- Emphasize the need for national, evidence-based policies addressing quality of care and health care systems for neurological, mental, and substance use disorders. Discuss how to facilitate collaborations among a variety of stakeholders, including policy makers and health care professionals.

Workshop Summary : 

A workshop summary will be prepared that will be subject to appropriate review procedures before release and will serve to inform the Forum's future meetings.