Concerns raised over increased mentally unstable people on Suva streets and bed shortages St. Giles Hospital

Concerns are being raised with the increase of mentally unstable people seen on the streets in Suva and questions are raised on whether there is adequate accommodation and beds available in Fiji’s psychiatric facility, the Saint Giles Hospital.

A man has raised concerns about the safety of the public after two mentally unstable people were seen harassing other people on the streets of Suva earlier this week.

He asks why these people are not at the Saint Giles Hospital and if they are being sent home without getting proper treatment.

Saint Giles Hospital has confirmed that they are not sending people out on the streets due to bed shortages, instead the patients are running out of the centre to go and beg on the streets.

The Hospital says they do not push anyone out of the centre when beds are full, instead, they keep looking for suitable accommodation for fit patients and send them to mutually agreed accommodation only and never to the street.

Medical Superintendent Dr Balram Pundit says the hospital’s beds are rarely empty, impacting their ability to provide adequate care for patients struggling with substance abuse.

Dr. Pundit revealed that a request has been made for additional 90 beds to temporarily accommodate substance abuse cases until a dedicated facility is constructed by the Government.

He says without long-term care for substance abuse patients, relapse will continue to be a major issue.

Dr. Pundit highlights the majority of substance abuse cases are related to marijuana or methamphetamine use, and addressing the addictions takes time, which highlights the need for long-term care.