A significant cabinet paper is currently in the works, aimed at bringing about structural and service changes at St. Giles Hospital, the only dedicated psychiatric facility in Fiji. Miliakere Nasorovakawalu, the hospital’s Director of Nursing, stated that a review of the existing structure and services is overdue and emphasized the necessity of adequate resources for the proposed changes to succeed. She expressed concern that the current resources available are minimal, which presents a challenge for the implementation of improvements.
Nasorovakawalu called for innovative leadership to optimize the limited resources on hand, posing the question, “With the limited resources we have, how can we turn things around?” She acknowledged St. Giles’ potential for further development, mentioning recent but modest renovations that signal a commitment to progress.
Her team is responsible for crafting the important Cabinet paper, which will feature recommendations intended to enhance mental health services and strengthen the hospital’s capacity to meet the rising demand for psychiatric care in Fiji. Given the persistence of societal stigma surrounding mental health, Nasorovakawalu pointed out that the document will be shared with relevant stakeholders prior to its submission for governmental consideration.
The cabinet paper is anticipated to advocate for a comprehensive review of St. Giles’ operations, focusing on the urgent need for modern infrastructure and additional resources to improve its capabilities in addressing a broader spectrum of mental health issues. This initiative resonates with sentiments expressed by Health Minister Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu, who noted the pressing necessity for infrastructure upgrades at St. Giles to handle the increasing number of patients and the challenges linked to the facility’s age.
Lalabalavu highlighted that St. Giles has endured various climatic and operational challenges since its inception in 1884, resulting in considerable wear and tear on the infrastructure. The Government is actively pursuing partnerships with donor organizations to develop a new facility that could facilitate the introduction of advanced treatment methods, which would significantly improve mental health services across Fiji.
As the Ministry concentrates on enhancing care, the planned changes could pave the way for more specialized services that address a wide array of needs, including addiction treatment, child and adolescent psychiatry, and support for geriatric patients. This collaborative effort represents a hopeful movement toward strengthening mental health care, reducing stigma, and ensuring that individuals receive the necessary support during both acute and ongoing care phases.