BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
Representatives from different organisations in Gizo, Western province have completed a workshop mental health.
The workshop was organised by Western Province Health and Medical Service through the Mental Health Programme.
In an interview with the media, workshop facilitator, Dr Rex Maukera – head of psychiatry at the National Referral Hospital said the purpose of the workshop was to bring together stakeholders, discuss and identify responsibilities necessary to support mentally ill patients.
He said topics covered during the workshop were; major mental disorder, minor mental disorder, rights of patient with mental illness and how to manage patients in different institutions like hospitals and prison.
Maukera said the workshop is part of a broader intervention undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) to improve mental services in the country.
“This workshop is to fulfill one of the objectives stipulated under the National Health Strategic Plan 2023-2023 and that is to improve access to mental services in the province.
“Under the integrated mental health division, we also have the Solomon Islands National Mental Health Policy which emphasis more on establishing partnership with stakeholders at the provincial level to disseminate information and conduct awareness.
“Addressing mental health issue requires multi-sectoral approach and this workshop is providing a platform for service providers in Western Province to come together,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Dr Cealdro Alependava described the workshop as very important to all the stakeholders.
“This workshop helps us to understand different roles and responsibilities when comes to mental health cases.
“We also learn basic knowledge on how to attend to patients and also referral pathways,” he said.
Alependava acknowledges the facilitator and Western Province’s Health and Medical Service for organising the workshop.
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