The increasing need for services at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva, Fiji’s sole psychiatric facility, has highlighted the urgent requirement for infrastructure upgrades. Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, remarked that St. Giles is one of the oldest hospitals in the country, having provided care since 1884.
Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized that as the hospital sees and treats more patients of varying ages, the strain on its infrastructure has grown considerably. He noted that the facility has endured numerous climatic and operational challenges over the years, resulting in substantial wear and tear.
To address these challenges, the ministry is seeking partnership and funding opportunities from donor organizations aimed at establishing a new facility. This development would enable St. Giles to incorporate modern treatment methods, significantly enhancing the mental health services available in Fiji.
The proposed new facility would allow for expanded services in fields such as addiction, child and adolescent psychiatry, and geropsychiatry. Additionally, it would support specialized treatments like group therapy, psychodrama, lithium level testing, recurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and geropsychiatry.
Dr. Lalabalavu reiterated the government’s commitment to improving mental health services in the country. While acknowledging that St. Giles has the capacity to provide acute care, he identified gaps in post-treatment support for substance abuse and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts with development partners to enhance long-term treatment options. The ministry is actively exploring ways to bolster its capabilities in handling acute mental health cases and providing appropriate follow-up care.