Zakkat Committee spends N48m on treatment of 6,965 mentally ill persons-Chairman.

The Sokoto State Zakkat and Endowment Committee said it had spent over N 48 million in the treatment of no fewer than 6,965 mentally ill persons in the last two years.

The Chairman of the committee, Alh. Lawal Maidoki, disclosed this in Sokoto on Sunday at a news conference organised as part of a programme to mark the World Mental Illness Day.

He stated that all the affected persons were treated at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Kware, Kware Local Government Area of the state.

According to Maidoki, 420 mentally ill persons have so far received treatment for the same illness at the hospital this year.

"Currently we have about twenty five persons at the hospital, who were admitted and are receiving treatment at the expense of the committee.

"We also have another scheme under the psychiatric sub-committee, which provides empowerment, clothing and footwear to all treated, rehabilitated and discharged patients of the hospital.

"This is to help in their smooth reintegration into the society and to make them productive to themselves and the society."

Maidoki commended the United Nations for setting aside Oct. 11 of every year as the World Mental Illness Day.