BY BEN BILUA
GIZO
Director of Western Province’s Health and Medical Services (WPHMS), Dr Dickson Boara says Western Province needs a psychiatric facility.
He made the comment following the increasing number of mentally ill patients in the province.
In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, he said there is a proposal plan to build the facility but it was shelved for years.
Boara said no further discussion was made since the proposal was put forward to responsible authorities.
“There is a mention of building a psychiatric facility on Western Province’s Health Service and Development plan. The last time that I remember was to look for a suitable piece of land to build the facility.
“That was the last time I heard of the plan,” he said.
Boara said there is no other services for mental health patients apart from medication provided at Gizo hospital.
He strongly emphasised that it is time to put this proposal plan into action.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Mental Health Coordinator of Western Province, Michael Lealognono shared similar sentiment saying that there is an increasing number of mentally ill patients in Western Province.
He said Gizo hospital have recorded a total of 400 mentally ill patients in year 2024-2025.
Lealognono said three to four patients visit the hospital on a daily basis.
“This is a massive increase and we are aware of the root cause. Most of these patients are addicted to marijuana while for other patients, it is due to chronic disease and stress disorder,” he said.
Lealognono said patients who visited the hospital with mental health issues were ranged from age 15 to 35.
He said most of the patients come from Vella and Rannonga Islands which begs the question whether few individuals in these two islands are producing and smuggling of marijuana.
Lealognono said there is a great need for the police to intervene and conduct an investigation on the reports.
He warns that smoking marijuana regularly can impair brain development, memory, and learning capacity, especially among young people whose brains are still developing.
For feedback, contact:[email protected]
