Psychiatric wards pushed in hospitals outside city

CEBU, Philippines - An official of the Psychiatric Ward of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) has started training personnel of district hospitals in some local government units where psychiatric wards would soon be opened.

Dr. Edwin Menguito, secretary of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) - Cebu chapter, said yesterday it is necessary for district hospitals to have a functional psychiatric ward because the one at VSMMC can no longer accommodate the increasing number of patients.

The VSMMC psychiatric ward has a 60-bed capacity, but 180 patients are confined therein at present. Menguito said the government does not have enough funds to sustain care for the patients.

“We are trying to go to towns to give seminars aron sila mismo makahibalo kung unsa-on pag-manage sa ilang kaugalingon without coming here in the city,” Menguito said.

Meanwhile, PMHA Chairperson Glenda Basubas said in a forum yesterday that there is a need to enhance religious teachings and strengthen family values to curb the increasing suicide incidence among the youth.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified depression as among the major reasons why young people commit suicide.

Basubas said the family is crucial because values formed within the home are the first source of care and emotional support.

Initial investigation on suicide cases reveal that most of the victims come from families with dyfunctional problems.

 Basubas said signs of suicide that a person manifests, liking statements that he would commit the same, should not be taken lightly but instead should be treated seriously. – (FREEMAN)