Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings Warns Mental Health Facilities Against Premature Patient Discharges

Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has called on mental health facilities in Ghana to review their discharge procedures to ensure that patients who have not fully recovered are not released into the care of their relatives without adequate medical assessment and support.

She stressed the need for mental health institutions to prioritise patients’ well-being and ensure that individuals receive the necessary treatment before being discharged from psychiatric facilities.

According to her, releasing patients who have not sufficiently recovered could place additional responsibilities on family members who may not have the necessary knowledge, resources or professional training to manage their conditions.

She maintained that relatives should not be expected to take responsibility for patients who still require specialised medical attention and continuous supervision.

Her comments also highlight the challenges faced by families caring for people living with mental health conditions, particularly where access to professional support and community-based mental health services is limited.

In Ghana, mental healthcare continues to face several challenges, including inadequate funding, shortages of specialised professionals and limited access to treatment facilities.

A World Health Organisation report published in June 2026 highlighted persistent gaps in Ghana’s mental healthcare system, including an overstretched workforce and the concentration of psychiatric services in three major hospitals in the southern part of the country.

The concerns surrounding the discharge of psychiatric patients also raise questions about the availability of proper rehabilitation and aftercare services.

Under Ghana’s Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846), provisions exist for aftercare services and rehabilitation to support patients following their discharge from mental health facilities.

Effective discharge procedures should therefore involve proper medical assessments, follow-up treatment and arrangements for continued care outside the hospital.