The St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva, Fiji’s only psychiatric hospital, is facing a growing need for infrastructure upgrades due to increasing service demands. Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, the Minister for Health and Medical Services, noted that St. Giles has been operational since 1884, making it one of the oldest hospitals in the country.
As the hospital sees and treats more patients of various ages, the pressure on its infrastructure has intensified. Dr. Lalabalavu acknowledged that the facility has experienced significant wear over the years due to numerous climatic and operational challenges.
To address these issues, the ministry is reaching out to partner and donor organizations to explore support for developing a new facility. This expansion would enable the hospital to introduce advanced treatment options and enhance mental health services in Fiji. The proposed facility aims to encompass areas such as addiction treatment, psychiatry for children and adolescents, geriatric psychiatry, and specialized services like group therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The government remains dedicated to improving mental health services throughout the nation. Dr. Lalabalavu emphasized that while St. Giles has the capacity for acute care, there are still gaps in the treatment of substance abuse and follow-up care. Collaborative efforts with development partners are underway to strengthen long-term solutions for substance abuse treatment and enhance overall mental health care in Fiji.