The increasing demand for services at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva, Fiji’s sole psychiatric facility, has highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure enhancements.
Health and Medical Services Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu noted that St. Giles Hospital has been operational since 1884, making it one of the oldest hospitals in the country. He pointed out that the growing needs of patients of varying ages have placed significant strain on the hospital’s infrastructure.
Dr. Lalabalavu expressed concerns about the facility’s resilience, stating that it has faced numerous climatic and operational challenges, resulting in considerable wear over the years.
To address these issues, the ministry is exploring partnerships with donor organizations to potentially develop a new facility. This would enable St. Giles to adopt modern treatment methods and enhance mental health services across the nation.
A new building could expand the hospital’s services to cover addiction treatment, child and adolescent psychiatry, geropsychiatry, and specialized options like group therapy, psychodrama, lithium level testing, recurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
The government remains dedicated to improving mental health services. Dr. Lalabalavu acknowledged that while St. Giles has the capacity to handle acute cases, there are still gaps in post-treatment care, particularly regarding substance abuse. The ministry is working with development partners to bridge these gaps and enhance long-term treatment options.