Psychiatrists being sought for the local health system

Government is moving to obtain the services of one or more Psychiatrists to fill the void within the health system. Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, speaking on the matter on WE FM’s ‘Issue at Hand’ programme last Sunday, April 14, 2024, said that even as they are seeking to plug this gap it may be a challenge for the government.

“ I’ve concluded that we have to get a Psychiatrist or two on special contract and we just have to pay them more than what is in the budget line.” There is currently no Psychiatrist in the public health system which Gonsalves said also presents challenges in cases involving mentally ill persons referred for assessment from the courts.

“If somebody mounts a defence of insanity to a criminal offence generally, or mounts a defence of diminished responsibility in relation to murder- which will reduce it to murder, you need a particular psychiatric evaluation as part of that process,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

Having a well trained Psychiatrist will also offer the opportunity for having consultations and evaluations done via the zoom or other online-meeting platforms.

“There’s an exploration of that,” he said, after explaining that a lawyer shared similar views, adding that there is a group of psychiatrists along with a lawyer who may be willing to provide that online service.

The Prime Minister also took time to address other matters within the health sector, among them, complaints of lack of needed medication at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

“ There is absolutely no doubt, in terms of physical facilities, staffing, education available. We spend in excess of 12,13…14 million dollars for medication for these supplies and we get reasonable prices through the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Programme,” Gonsalves noted.

He added that there are roughly 90 doctors employed at the MCMH, and the 2024 budget has allocated around 107.3 million dollars for the health care sector, not including health facilities located in the Grenadines which would add a further 50 million dollars.