Department of Health to improve the quality of mental health services

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has revealed that a lot still needs to be done to increase resources for mental health services.

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He was speaking at a mental health conference at Emperors Palace on April 24.

The two-day conference (April 24 to 25) has brought multiple stakeholders to explore a variety of solutions to improve the current mental health pandemic.

According to Phaahla, although Western Cape and Gauteng have 50 and 72 psychiatrists working in the public sector respectively, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga has three and four psychiatrists, respectively.

He said all provinces have at least one facility rendering services for people with dual diagnosis except for Mpumalanga.

“There is no specialised psychiatric hospital in this province. Mpumalanga refers people requiring this service to Gauteng.

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“Another serious weakness is the absence, in most provinces and at the national level of an information system that provides patient level data that enables seamless care, treatment and follow-up of patients.

“This absence of data makes it impossible for South Africa to accurately state its mental health incidence and prevalence, leading to misleading interpretations.”

Phaahla said the department needs to ensure that all primary health care facilities have the tools required for mental health assessment.

He further shared that there are limitations in available beds in various health institutions as well as the quality of our infrastructure.

“This situation is aggravated by the scourge of drug addiction in South Africa. The prevention of and treatment for substance abuse is the competence of the Department of Social Development.

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“The Department of Health also needs to provide access to opioid substitution treatment. Although treatment of substance abuse is the mandate of the Department of Social Development with such services being rendered in Social Development treatment centers under the prevention of and treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act 70 of 2008.

“The Department of Health has the responsibility of providing treatment for both mental illness and substance abuse for people with dual diagnosis,” he said.

Phaahla said the National Department of Health, together with the nine provincial departments of health, is currently building on the strengths of the implementation of the 2013 to 2020 Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategy, through the implementation of the newly approved Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategy 2023 to 2030.

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Through the implementation of the 2023 Policy Framework and Strategy, the department plans to:

• Develop and implement a national plan to raise awareness and educate the public on mental health.

• Further expand and improve Primary Health Care Mental Health Services.

• Make further progress with regard to Mental Health Units attached to general hospitals. As we attach mental health units to general hospitals, they should make provision for child and adolescent mental health beds.

• Expand and improve the quality of community based mental health services.

• Ensure that infrastructure is fit for purpose in line with the Mental Health Infrastructure Norms that were published in 2014.

• Work with the Department of Justice to further reduce forensic observation backlogs through sourcing of the required professionals.

• Set up a well-functioning Mental Health Programme Information System in line with other health programme information needs, and establish and implement a mental health research programme.

• Continue to resource and skill Mental Health Review Boards and ensure the availability of properly skilled District Specialist Mental Health teams.