Addressing Critical Needs in Mental Health Care

The bingerville Psychiatric hospital, Côte d’Ivoire’s sole public psychiatric facility, received a important boost in resources thanks to a donation from Soka Gakkai International (SGI). The contribution, which included essential medications and food supplies, aims to alleviate pressing needs within the hospital and improve patient care.

Urgent Call for Emergency Infrastructure

A primary concern highlighted by porquet Olga, the hospital’s Director-General, is the absence of a dedicated reception area for psychiatric emergencies. She emphasized the critical need for a specialized room or medical container to effectively receive, stabilize, and treat patients in crisis.

This space will not only save lives but also ensure more worthy, more human management, more in line with the essential rights of patients. We, therefore, launch a call for solidarity…
Porquet olga, Director-General of Bingerville Psychiatric Hospital

This appeal underscores the broader challenges in providing adequate mental health services in the region, where resources are often stretched thin.

Details of the Soka Gakkai Donation

The donation from Soka Gakkai comprised:

• Medications valued at 3,600,000 FCFA
• Food supplies (rice, oil, pasta, etc.) worth 250,000 FCFA
• Fourteen brewers valued at 4,177,500 FCFA

The total value of the donation amounted to 4,177,500 FCFA. This contribution is expected to substantially enhance the hospital’s capacity to manage patient care, particularly in the face of challenging conditions.

Impact and Appreciation

Director-General Porquet Olga expressed profound gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its immediate and tangible impact. She noted that the supplies would help the hospital cope with the intense heat, improve patient diets, and ensure more effective therapeutic interventions.

Thanks to you, we can better face stifling heat, improve the diet of patients, and above all, ensure more efficient therapeutic management thanks to the medications received. Whether your action inspires other partners,other generous hearts to join this collective effort for dignified and accessible mental health.
Porquet olga, Director-General of Bingerville Psychiatric Hospital

Soka Gakkai’s Philosophy of Respect and Equality

Veh Pierre, Director-General of Soka Gakkai Côte d’Ivoire, representing the Africa Division of SGI, articulated the organization’s core belief in the inherent Buddha-nature of all individuals. This philosophy underscores the importance of treating everyone with respect, attention, and consideration, irrespective of their background or health status. [[3]]

Soka Gakkai International is an organization rooted in Nichiren Buddhism. [[1]] [[2]]

This belief system motivates their commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and contributing to the well-being of communities.

Community Engagement and Support

Prior to the donation, Soka Gakkai members actively engaged with the Bingerville Psychiatric Hospital through a community service day.This involved sanitation efforts and improvements to the living environment for patients. A pleasant football match was also organized, fostering positive interactions between the community and the hospital’s residents.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Mental Health Resources

The collaborative efforts between Soka Gakkai and the Bingerville Psychiatric Hospital highlight the importance of community involvement in addressing mental health challenges. As Côte d’Ivoire continues to develop its healthcare infrastructure, such partnerships will be crucial in ensuring access to quality mental health services for all citizens.