MoH marks World Mental Health Day

Manama, Oct. 10 (BNA): The Ministry of Health (MoH) has marked the World Mental Health Day2016, this year celebrated under the slogan "Psychiatric First Aid." "We at the ministry are looking forward to shedding light on this aspect to achieve the holistic health concept including physical, mental and social health, drawing policies and plans which will contribute in the interest of psycho-traumatic patients, enabling patients' access to whole gamut of high-quality healthcare," according a statement issued by the ministry today. The ministry reiterated its compliance with the directives of the Kingdom's leadership regarding the provision of optimal healthcare and medical treatment to all mental patients and exerting more efforts to enhance the standard of health services, and to spread health awareness in the community. The Psychiatric Hospital in Bahrain employs 536 staffs including 60 physicians, 17 consultants, 1 internal medicine practitioners, 14 medics, 9 services, 18 service doctors and trainees, 6 psychiatrists, 242 nurses, 1 pharmacist, 3 assistant pharmacists /technicians and 13 social (research) workers, according to 2015 statistics. Also, patients may sometimes be referred to the centre for hereditary blood disorders, primary healthcare centres (HCs), Kanoo Rehabilitation Centre, or the centres for the elderly care affiliated with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Prosecution, police stations, Child Welfare centres all of which are run by qualified practitioners. The World Health Organisation (WHO) decided on October 10 each year to celebrate the World Mental Health Day to spread public awareness and to curb mental ailments worldwide.