The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed a bill for the establishment of the Mental Health Service Department to enhance the protection of the rights of persons with psychological and cognitive disabilities.

The bill would also provide regulations to enhance mental health services and related matters in the state.

The legislation followed the adoption of a report at the plenary on Tuesday by Haruna Barnabas, chairman of the House Committee on Health and Judiciary.

Mr Barnabas also recommended the amendment of the Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment (KADBUSA) Law No.9 of 2016.

He said the bill would give recognition to the affected persons and change the narrative on drug abuse, as those into it were perceived not to be part of the society.

Mr Barnabas said the bill aimed at helping the youths who were into drugs become useful members of society.

“With an expanded mandate to reflect the best international practices and conventions that will necessitate the renaming of Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse Agency (KADBUSA) as Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (KADSAMHSA),” he said.

According to Mr Barnabas, the bill will strengthen the agency’s comprehensive role in managing mental health and substance abuse services in the state.

The House, presided by the speaker, Yusuf Liman, unanimously adopted the committee’s report and recommendations.

Meanwhile, a bill for a law to establish the Kaduna State Senior Secondary School Education Board has scaled second reading.

Mahmud Lawal-Ismail, the member representing Zaria City Constituency who sponsored the bill, said it was sequel to the federal government’s plans to shift from the 6-3-3-4 system to a 12-4-year education model.

Also, a bill to amend the Customary Courts Law No. 9 of 2001 (as amended), sponsored by Emmanuel Bako Kantiok, member representing Zonkwa Constituency, scaled first reading.

(NAN)