Mental health unit opened at Trincomalee general hospital

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 October 2002, 21:36 GMT]
"At least thirty patients who come daily for treatment are diagnosed mentally ill. We do not know how many mentally affected people are living in villages in the district without getting treatment," said the Medical Superintendent Dr. P.Ganekabahu at the opening event of a mental health unit in Trincomalee general hospital Tuesday.

Mrs Ranji Balasingham, President of the Trincomalee District Women Welfare Organization seen lighting the traditional lamp at the opening of the mental health unit.

Mentally ill people are on the increase in Trincomalee district due to war and displacement from their villages, said an activist of a non-governmental organization engaged in rehabilitation of displaced in the Trincomalee district.

The chief guest Dr.M.Ganeshan, consultant psychiatrist of the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, said approximately ten to fifteen percent of the people are suffering from psychological disorders. But in war torn northeast province more people lead their lives with psychological disorders. They should not only be given treatment but also be made useful citizens through occupational therapy, he added.

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr.M. Ganeshan of Batticaloa Teaching Hospital speaking at the openeing of mental health unit at Trinco general hospital.

Dr.M.Ganeshan further said only one mental health unit was working in the eastern province from Panama to Trincomalee for the last three years. Now psychiatric clinics for mental patients have been functioning in several areas such as Pottuvil, Amparai, and Akkaraipattu and now in Trincomalee.

The long felt need of the mental patients in the district has been fulfilled. With the opening of the mental health unit we could provide better medical and occupational therapy to mentally ill, said Dr.Ganekabahu.

Mental health unity opened at the Trinco general hospital.

Dr.S.Abraham, Provincial Deputy Director of Health Services participating as the special guest said that needs of the mentally ill are multiple and complex and extend beyond treatment with medication and the large numbers who are mentally ill has compounded the problem giving adequate treatment.

"In Trincomalee district several children, women who have lost their parents and husbands due to war suffer due to psychological disorders. Nearly three hundred mentally ill persons have been registered with the Trincomalee general hospital. We do not how many unregistered mentally ill are living in villages of NorthEast," said Dr.K.Linganathan, medical officer of the newly formed mental health unit.

Mr. Dave Bagley, Psychiatric nurse of the Voluntary Services Organization based in United Kingdom also spoke.