COVID-19 in Nigeria: implications for prevalent public mental health challenges

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to examine the likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health with particular attention to the mental health of children, adolescents, and adults in the most populous country in Africa – Nigeria. Presently, the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is well-established in Nigeria with increasing community transmission. While a significant response has been initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria through a multidisciplinary task force, there are challenges for the country’s already weak health sector and invariably the mental health systems. For example, the testing capacity is inadequate because of limited technical, infrastructural, financial and logistical capacity to rapidly scale-up testing which could be a reflection of the health system. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors examined and explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalent public mental health challenges in Nigeria, the most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa. Findings The authors argued for sustained investments in digitally enhanced health-care delivery and medical surveillance system that incorporate public mental health in a way that accommodates equity in Nigeria. Originality/value The authors have examined the likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health with particular attention to the mental health of children, adolescents and adults in the most populous country in Africa – Nigeria. Furthermore, they discussed emerging frameworks and strategies to build a clinical practice and research capacities for these populations