The Ministry of Health has announced plans to create a new facility at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital to enhance mental health services. Health Minister Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalavabalavu discussed the hospital’s renovations and upgrades during a presentation in Parliament on Thursday. The proposed facility will offer specialized services such as addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and telepsychiatry.
Dr. Lalavabalavu mentioned that the ministry is seeking support from partners and donor organizations to help establish this new facility, which aims to incorporate the latest treatment methods and improve mental health services nationwide. Additionally, the facility is expected to extend the hospital’s capabilities into addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry.
The new services will also include group therapy, psychodrama, lithium level testing, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive therapy, commonly referred to as telepsychiatry.
Earlier this year, security at the admission facility was enhanced with the construction of a new fence behind the men’s ward. Recent renovations have also been completed for the women’s ward, Moala ward, and the administration building.
Notable improvements include the tar sealing of roads and renovations to the car park, which cost over $235,000. These upgrades were necessary as the roads had suffered from years of neglect, causing discomfort for passengers and damage to vehicles, as well as difficulties for the staff working at the hospital.
Looking ahead, Dr. Lalavabalavu indicated that funding has been allocated for further repairs and renovations at the hospital for the 2024-2025 financial year.