Mapping mental health finances in Ghana, Uganda, Sri Lanka, India and Lao PDR

A researcher in each region reviewed public mental health-related budgets and interviewed key informants on government mental health financing. A total of 43 key informant interviews were conducted. Quantitative data was analyzed in an excel matrix using descriptive statistics. Key informant interviews were coded a priori against research questions.National ring-fenced budgets for mental health as a percentage of national health spending for 2007-08 is 1.7% in Sri Lanka, 3.7% in Ghana, 2.0% in Kerala (India) and 6.6% in Uganda. Budgets were not available in Lao PDR. The majority of ring-fenced budgets (76% to 100%) is spent on psychiatric hospitals. Mental health spending could not be tracked beyond the psychiatric hospital level due to limited information at the health centre and community levels.Mental health budget information should be tracked and made publically accessible. Governments can adapt WHO AIMS indicators for reviewing national mental health finances. Funding allocations work more effectively through decentralization. Mental health financing should reflect new ideas emerging from community based practice in LMICs.Although not the only obstacle, one of the primary barriers to adequate mental health care is inappropriate mental health financing [1,2]. In ten years of delivering mental health and development services across eight low and middle income countries, BasicNeeds and its 42 implementing partners, from both government and community sectors, have been challenged by the scarcity of resources. Our government partners, particularly those within health ministries, share in the desire for greater capacity - both human and material - so they can deliver the mental health services being demanded by thousands of individuals and their families.The World Health Organisation (WHO) asserts that "without adequate financing, mental health policies and plans remain in the realm of rhetoric and good intentions" [3]. This bold stance sets the tone for the report