The Health Ministry is in the ongoing process of restructuring the mental health services to improve responsiveness, efficiency of delivery, effectiveness of treatment, and accessibility to service.
Saint Giles Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Peni Biukoto said the ministry has targeted improved access to medication, by decentralizing medication allocations to subdivisions and divisions.
He said stress Management Wards have been opened in each Divisional hospital to cater for admitted persons with mental health issues.
Dr Biukoto said the Ministry is providing psychiatric outreach clinics to health centers in the divisions and the Ministry has opened small psychosocial rehabilitation programs in Labasa and Suva.
He has also highlighted that the Ministry provides hospice care in the Old People’s Home in Suva and Lautoka.
He added the Ministry with FNU has actively supported Post Grad training in Mental Health for doctors and nurses as well as supporting Psychiatric Survivor Association and organizations with interest in mental health such as Youth Champs for Mental Health and Fiji Alliance for Mental Health.
Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa
