March 25th 2025
In December 2024, the Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) undertook a series of activities in Equatorial Guinea to strengthen services and interventions currently available to address substance use and substance use disorders in the country. These activities marked a significant milestone in efforts to enhance drug use disorder treatment and care in Equatorial Guinea. Conducted in close collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Malabo, this initiative was supported by funding from UNAIDS' 2022-2026 Unified Budget, Results, and Accountability Framework (UBRAF).
A key component of this initiative was a stakeholder meeting with policymakers, health professionals, and civil society representatives. Participants discussed effective strategies for drug use disorder treatment, in line with the International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders. Participating stakeholders (10 women and 6 men) agreed that there is a shortage of psychiatrists and mental health professionals in the country, alongside significant gaps in the training of healthcare workers, specifically on substance use disorder treatment, care, and recovery.
Youth perceptions of substance use and identifying potential risk factors
To further examine available healthcare services for people with drug use disorders, together with the General Director for Mental Health and Psychoactive Substances of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea, UNODC conducted site visits to the Mental Health Hospital of Malabo, the Benito Menni Mental Health Center in Bata, and the General Hospital of Bata. Among the findings, it was observed that all facilities provide treatment for drug withdrawal symptoms, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family therapy.
With the aim of understanding youth perceptions of substance use and identifying potential risk factors, a focus group with five female and three male young adults (over 18) was organized at the Malabo Youth Center. Key challenges identified were related to socio-economic issues, healthcare, education, security, violence, low awareness of the risks associated with substance use, and family-related concerns.
These activities marked an important step in documenting substance use trends and treatment capacity in Equatorial Guinea, an area that had not yet received in-depth attention. The findings will be compiled into a rapid assessment report, intended to inform and support national authorities and international partners in strengthening effective responses to substance use disorders for all, ultimately contributing to broader global health and security.
To discover more about the work and activities of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), please visit our publications page.
