BY DELISA THWALA
MANZINI – The National Psychiatric Center has been doing well since the year started.
The hospital has not only been treating patients with mental health issues but has also been providing help to regular patients. According to records accessed by this publication, the hospital is able to treat over 200 patients in a day.
Even though the hospital has been faced with problems which included, drug shortage, bed shortage and food among others- it has risen above the challenges and has been able to help sick people.
Worth remembering is that in 2017, in collaboration with the Eswatini Ministry of Health, the National Psychiatric Hospital and other regional stakeholders, COMDIS-HSD developed a brief psychological intervention for people living with depression to be delivered by nurses in primary care in Eswatini.
Meanwhile the Minister of Health when once interviewed about the Psychiatric Hospital said their aim was to improve accessibility of support for depression for all those in need living in Eswatini.
The one-year initial phase assessed the feasibility and acceptability of this mental health programme for people living with HIV/TB accessing care in nurse-led primary care in Eswatini.
A number of nurses spoken to at the hospital said even though there were challenges they have not forgotten their oath , which is to take care of people.
“Yes we get a lot of patients here but we are always eager to save lives and do our job to the best of satisfaction,” said one nurse.
Another senior nurse said the kind of medical help they now offer was wider and open to everyone.
“We do not only offer mental help, yes mental health is our main focus but we also offer other help to ailments,” said the nurse.
Meanwhile the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku once said, the need to build another regional Psychiatric Hospital was going to be determined by the increasing need.
