Mental health care inequalities in South Africa took centre stage when the North-West University (NWU) academic Prof. Leepile Sehularo earned the place of second runner-up for the best oral presentation at the Ubuntu Nursing Colloquium, hosted by the University of Pretoria on 12 August 2026.
Prof. Sehularo, director of the Lifestyle Diseases research entity at the Mahikeng Campus, presented a paper titled “Mental health in an unequal world”, which examined gaps in the mental health system of the country and proposed measures to improve services for mental healthcare users.
The colloquium was held under the theme “Honouring the past, shaping the future of nursing in Africa” and brought together clinical nurses, nurse researchers, nurse educators, healthcare professionals and postgraduate and undergraduate students.
It provided a platform for participants to share research, evidence-based practice, indigenous knowledge systems and quality improvement initiatives relating to nursing and healthcare on the continent.
Prof. Sehularo’s presentation focused on South African mental health legislation and the challenges affecting access to mental healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation services.
“The presentation looked at the inequalities that mental healthcare users continue to experience in South Africa, including access to care, treatment and rehabilitation services,” he said.
Among the issues raised were the absence of a dedicated mental health directorate, limited support for mental health review boards and insufficient funding for mental health services.
Mental health review boards play an oversight role in protecting the rights of mental healthcare users and reviewing decisions relating to their care, treatment and rehabilitation. Prof. Sehularo’s presentation highlighted the need for these structures to receive the support required to fulfil their responsibilities.
He also addressed the relationship between legislation and the resources required to translate policy commitments into services for people who need mental healthcare.
“South Africa has mental health laws, but attention must also be given to whether the structures, budgets and services are in place to ensure that mental healthcare users can exercise the rights provided for in legislation,” he said.
His presentation concluded with recommendations aimed at addressing inequalities in mental healthcare and strengthening access to treatment and rehabilitation services.
The recognition adds to Prof. Sehularo’s work in nursing, mental health and health research at the NWU and places the challenges facing mental healthcare users in broader discussions about the future of nursing in Africa.
Prof. Leepile Sehularo earned the place of second runner-up for the best oral presentation at the Ubuntu Nursing Colloquium.
