FG working to decriminalize suicide – Pate

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate says his ministry is working  closely with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and other partners to address the section of the law that criminalizes attempted suicide. A statement from the ministry Thursday  said the minister  made the disclosure during […]

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate says his ministry is working  closely with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and other partners to address the section of the law that criminalizes attempted suicide.

A statement from the ministry Thursday  said the minister  made the disclosure during the commemoration of  the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day  in Abuja.

It was  themed “ Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.

He said the ministry was also working towards improving the mental health and well-being of Nigerians, assuring that Nigeria would soon join comity of nations that have discriminalized attempted suicide.

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Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, Pate said the rate of suicides in Africa which is 11.2 per 100,000 people was  higher than the global average of 9.0 per 100,000 persons.