Decriminalise suicide, Kwara NMA tells FG

Date: 2019-10-15

The Nigeria Medical Association has called on the Federal Government to decriminalise suicide in the country.

The Deputy Chairman, Kwara State NMA, Prof. Baba Issa, made the appeal at a news conference on Monday in Ilorin.

He said that anyone who attempted suicide obviously needed help, which they didn't get.

Issa was speaking in commemoration of the 2019 Physician's Week holding from October 12 to October 19.

The theme of this year's celebration is "Care of the Unknown Patient: Policy Overview and Review."

The event has other sub-themes like, "Curbing the Increasing Trend of Suicide in Nigeria: The Role of the NMA" and "The Doctor as an Entrepreneur".

Issa noted that suicide was now the second leading cause of death among those in the age bracket 15 and 29 years with many unreported cases.

"And too bad, people are being jailed in Nigeria for attempting suicide.

"Any person who attempted suicide in the first place needed urgent help and would probably not have resulted to suicide if help was available.

"Also, government should regulate the distribution and availability of organophosphate chemicals that have recently become a cheap means of committing suicide," Issa said.

He, however, said that parents and the media also have roles to play in curbing the increasing trend.

"Responsible reportage of suicide is important to avoid copycat suicide as media should avoid sensationalising cases of suicide.

"The media should avoid details of methods and location and emphasising the negative consequences and impact on people left behind.

"And for the parents, they should avoid stigmatisation of suicide, instead encourage people to always seek help and support.

"Let us sacrifice time to know more about our children and wards, and learn to know their strength and weaknesses.

"We should also teach them self esteem and vocation, and always take helpful cues from their non-verbal communication," Issa said.

He further said that a person contemplating suicide should never be left alone at any point in time as the next few seconds without help might be too late.

Issa said there were organisations that help persons contemplating suicide and that they can be reached via the following helplines: 09080217555, 09034400009, 08111909909, 07013811143, and Hausa - 08142241007.

Issa also listed Kwara State Health lines as 07062961307, 07030659980, 08033559293, 08035307683, 08165353198, 07032589606, 08034340230 and 08037211707.

(NAN)

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Tunji Arosanyin     Sa\'adu Salahu     Salihu Alhaji Musa     Olushola Saraki     Emir Of Ilorin     NAWOJ     Saliu Mustapha     Razaq Atunwa     Kunle Suleiman     Musa Yeketi     Olaiya Lawal     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Khadijat Ayoola Yusuf     Yakubu Gobir     Quranic Recitation Competition     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Halidu Danbaba     Garment Factory     Monkey Pox     Offa Metropolitan Club     Esuwoye     Ajike People Support Centre     Bola Ahmed Tinubu     Funmilayo Mohammed     Abegunde Goke     Bank Of Industry     Sola Saraki University     Idris Amosa Saidu     Clara Nwachukwu     Afetu Of Alabe     Surajudeen Akanbi     Offa Grammer School     Simeon Sule Ajibola     Simon Sayomi     Tunji Oyawoye     Mohammed Lawal Bagega     Abdulfatai Salman Baakini     Baba-Isale     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Hijaab     Bola Shagaya     Elerin Of Adanla     KSIRS     Rasaq Jimoh     Sarah Alade     Mohammed Haruna     Salake     Sidikat Alaya     Bankole Omishore     Abdulkadir Bolakale Sakariyah     Galadima     Lotus Bank     University Road     Twitter     Tunde Yusuf     Adeola Abraham     Bello John Olanrewaju     Abdulrazaq Sanni     Ronke Adeyemi     BECE     Elekoyangan     Tsado Manman     Oke-opin     Bolakale Saka     Jumoke Gafar     Budo-Egba     Centre For Digital Economy     Abdulwaheed Musa     Saliu Ajibola Ajia     Pakata Development Association     Ilorin International Airport     Oloriegbe     Yusuf Lawal     S.O. Opowoye     Lateef Fagbemi     Ayo Adeyemi     Ayo Opadokun    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Bahago     Gani Saadu     Nigeria Computer Society     Kwara State Geographic Information Service     Magaji Nda     All Peoples Party     Saliu Ajia     Khairat Gwadabe     Ahmed Idris Mohammed     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     Owu Fall     CACOVID     Saka Balikis Kehinde     Police Commissioner     Michael Nzwekwe     Adeleke Ogungbe     Baba Issa     Anilelerin     Aminu Adisa Logun     Zulu Gambari     Sola Saraki University     Olatunji Ayeni     Lithium     Alimi     Baakini     Ahman Pategi University     Bolaji Aladie     Yetunde Balogun     Maryam Nurudeen     HYPPADEC     VADA     Grillo     Universal Basic Education Commission     Kwara 2023     Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship     Mahmud Durosinlohun Atiku     Bayo Ojo     2017 Budget     Kayode Bankole     Sambo Murtala     Lola Ashiru     Ilorin Innovation Hub     Sulu Babaita Isiaka     Ibrahim Akaje     Bolaji Abdullahi     Gaa Olobi     National Pilot     Ibrahim Oloriegbe     Amos Justus Sayo     Bolakale Ayo     Alfa Yahaya Road     Kwara NIPR     Oniwasi Agbaye     CKNG     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Tayo Alao     Maryam Ado Bayero     Nigerian Army     Afolayan     Abdulwahab Ololele     Suleiman Mora Omar     Mary Arinde     Oye Tinuoye     Kayode Laro     Kayode Ogunlowo     Odo-Owa     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Ahmed Bayero     Stephen Fasakin     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     Usman Alkali Baba     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Abdulmajeed Wahab     KWATMA     Saad Omo\'ya     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Sabi