"Not everybody is mad. There is about a six or eight per cent depression,” Gopeesingh said. He pointed out that about 100,000 people in the country suffer from depression.
Gopeesingh was presenting the Regional Health Amendment Bill 2011 for debate. The bill will allow Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) to buy goods and services collectively and in bulk.
Gopeesingh said the move to amend the legislation would lead to a more cost-effective purchase of goods and services.
With respect to the mental health situation, Gopeesingh agreed Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan who stated recently that the majority of the patients at the hospital should not be there.
“The problem is worsened because we have more than 60 to 70 per cent of the in-patients at St Ann’s who don’t need to be there in the first place,” he said, adding that the majority of patients at the hospital can be managed as out-patients.
He said the Government hopes to achieve this through community-based health care assistance for mental health.
The minister also suggested that people should better manage their general health through diet and exercise and health, noting that many people are dying from diabetes and heart attacks.
With respect to the mental health situation, Gopeesingh agreed Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan who stated recently that the majority of the patients at the hospital should not be there.
“The problem is worsened because we have more than 60 to 70 per cent of the in-patients at St Ann’s who don’t need to be there in the first place,” he said, adding that the majority of patients at the hospital can be managed as out-patients.
He said the Government hopes to achieve this through community-based health care assistance for mental health.
The minister also suggested that people should better manage their general health through diet and exercise and health, noting that many people are dying from diabetes and heart attacks.
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