A significant cabinet paper is in preparation, aimed at initiating structural and service changes at St. Giles Hospital, Fiji’s only dedicated psychiatric facility. Miliakere Nasorovakawalu, the hospital’s Director of Nursing, acknowledged that a review of the existing structure and services is overdue, noting that the changes must be matched with adequate resources. She emphasized that the current resources are minimal, a crucial issue that needs addressing for the proposed transformations to succeed.
Nasorovakawalu highlighted the need for innovative leadership to maximize the limited resources available, asking, “With the limited resources we have, how can we turn things around?” She pointed out that St. Giles has the capacity for further development, mentioning that renovations have already taken place, albeit modestly.
Her team has been tasked with drafting the important Cabinet paper, which will include recommendations aimed at improving mental health services and bolstering the hospital’s ability to meet the increasing demand for psychiatric care in Fiji. Recognizing ongoing societal stigma around mental health, she indicated that the document will be shared with relevant stakeholders and submitted for governmental consideration.
The cabinet paper is expected to propose a comprehensive review of St. Giles’ operations, addressing the hospital’s need for modern infrastructure and additional resources to enhance its capabilities in treating a wider range of mental health issues. This move echoes sentiments expressed by Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, who has recently noted the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades at St. Giles to accommodate the growing number of patients and the challenges posed by the facility’s age.
Lalabalavu pointed out that St. Giles has faced various climatic and operational difficulties since its establishment in 1884, resulting in significant wear and tear. The Government is actively seeking partnerships with donor organizations, aiming to develop a new facility that would enable the introduction of advanced treatment methods, thereby enriching mental health services throughout Fiji.
As the Ministry focuses on enhancing care, the proposed changes could lead to more specialized services, addressing an array of needs from addiction treatment to child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as support for geriatric patients. This collaborative effort marks a hopeful step toward fortifying mental health care and reducing stigma while ensuring that individuals receive the support they require both during acute phases and beyond.