The state Health Minister Dr. Richard Nduhura has said that the ministry is going to encourage every hospital to be testing the mental ability of every patient they attend to.

Dr. Richard Nduhura, Uganda's Minister of State for Health

Dr. Nduhura says that the ministry has discovered that many diseases are caused by mental disorders. He says therefore requiring all patients to test for mental health might go a long way in preventing some diseases.

Speaking today at commemoration of World Mental health day, Dr. nduhura said statistics from the ministry indicate that 3 out of 10 persons in Uganda have mental problems.

Dr. Nduhura says that although there are some herbalists who are known to be experts in treating some mental diseases, people should avoid running to traditional healers for treatment of mental disorders.

He also appealed to the youths to avoid drugs of abuse, which he said is one of the leading causes of mental problems in Africa.