Togo Steps Up Efforts to Address the Shortage of Mental Health Specialists

Health

Thursday, 18 June 2026 17:46

Togo Steps Up Efforts to Address the Shortage of Mental Health Specialists

(Togo First) - Mental health remains one of the most underfunded segments of Togo's healthcare system. In a publication on mental health care in rural areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the country has fewer than 10 licensed psychiatrists for a population of more than 8 million people.

The shortage has strained access to specialized care. Zébé-Aného Psychiatric Hospital, the country's main referral center, regularly accommodates between 165 and 170 patients despite an official capacity of 120 beds.

Beyond the lack of specialists, geographic coverage remains uneven. In several regions, patients must travel long distances to access appropriate care.

This situation contributes to delays in diagnosis and treatment, while mental health disorders continue to face strong social stigma. According to research conducted in Togo, depressive disorders are among the most common psychiatric conditions in the country.

Reforms Underway

In response to these challenges, authorities have taken steps to better integrate mental health into public policy. The National Health Development Plan for 2023–2027 calls for a gradual increase in investment in the healthcare sector, while a National Mental Health Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 has been approved to improve service delivery and patient care.

At the same time, local initiatives are emerging. The WHO has highlighted the Saint-Camille Center in Amaoudè, in the Centrale region. According to the organization, more than 80% of patients treated at the facility were successfully reintegrated into their communities in 2025.

Improving psychiatric care extends beyond the healthcare sector alone. According to the WHO, one in eight people worldwide lives with a mental health disorder. These conditions are among the leading causes of disability and lost productivity.

For Togo, the challenge now is to train more professionals, strengthen specialized facilities and expand access to mental health services in rural areas, even as the country continues rolling out its Universal Health Insurance (AMU) scheme.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.