The increased demand for services at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva, Fiji’s sole psychiatric facility, has highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu noted that St. Giles Hospital, operational since 1884, is one of the oldest medical establishments in the country.
“With the rising number of patients of all ages seeking treatment, the pressure on the existing infrastructure has intensified,” Dr. Lalabalavu stated. He added that the hospital has faced numerous climatic and operational challenges over the years, leading to considerable wear and tear on its facilities.
The Ministry of Health is currently in discussions with a partner organization and donor to explore the possibility of developing a new facility. This would enable St. Giles to adopt innovative treatment modalities, thereby enhancing mental health services across the nation.
The planned new facility could extend services to areas such as addiction, psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry. It would also facilitate specialized therapies, including group therapy, psychodrama, lithium level testing, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Dr. Lalabalavu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing mental health services in Fiji. While St. Giles has the capacity to address immediate treatment needs, he acknowledged existing gaps in long-term substance abuse rehabilitation. The ministry is focused on seeking assistance from various development partners to strengthen treatment options for substance abuse in the future.