Decentralization of St Giles hospital begins

The decentralization of Fiji’s only psychiatric hospital has begun with a stress management ward was officially opened in Lautoka yesterday.

This new ward is the first of its type outside St Giles in Suva and Ministry Spokesperson, Peni Namotu said many people suffering from stress and mental problems are from the maritime areas and the Western Division.

He added in the past people had to travel all the way to Suva to be treated or checked but now this is a thing of the past.
 
According to the Ministry, around 130,000 people in the country suffer from some sort of mental problem with only around 65,000 people having access to specialist facilities. 

Story by: Paradise Tudrau