$98.9 Million Investment in Mental Health Care: Touring Guyana's Refurbished Psychiatric Department

In a significant step forward for mental health care in Guyana, a newly refurbished state-of-the-art $98.9 million Psychiatric Department was launched at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The department offers a range of new services, including electroconvulsive therapy, ketamine services for depression, neuropsychiatry, and forensic psychology, among others. In this video, we will discuss the impact of this new facility on mental health care in Guyana.

The Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, emphasized that the new facility is designed to provide a conducive space where patients can receive care in a dignified and respectful manner. He noted that this is in stark contrast to the claustrophobic space that previously existed. The Minister emphasized that everybody must have the same access, clean spaces, and a nice place in which they can get their care.

Medical personnel will be trained in Northwell, New York, to ensure that the department is staffed with highly trained professionals who are equipped to provide the best possible care to patients. The new facility offers a range of services that were not previously available, including electroconvulsive therapy, ketamine services for depression, neuropsychiatry, and forensic psychology.

Minister Anthony noted that historically, much of the emphasis has been placed on physical health, neglecting mental health care in the process. This has resulted in a situation where a substantial portion of the population is affected by various mental health illnesses. As such, the government has made improvements to the mental health legislation as part of a broader effort to address the neglect of mental health care.

The new legislation ensures that mental health patients are treated with dignity and respect. It also protects their right to privacy and ensures that they do not face discrimination. These are important steps in creating a more open and inclusive society that values the rights and well-being of all its citizens.

In conclusion, the opening of the new state-of-the-art $98.9 million Psychiatric Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) marks a significant step forward for mental health care in Guyana. With the new facility and the improvements to mental health legislation, mental health patients can now receive care in a dignified and respectful manner, ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect, and that their rights are protected. This is an important step in creating a more open and inclusive society that values the rights and well-being of all its citizens.