PHO Prepares Thrust for Mental Health Development

The Cebu Provincial Government, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO), is now gunning its attention in improving the level of psychological well-being of its constituents, especially the youths, through regular examinations and medical missions.

Doctor Rannie Corazon-Gravador, PHO’s medical coordinator for non-communicable disease, said that to realize the plan, Capitol is currently preparing the groundwork for a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Mental Health Association.

During the regular ‘Kapihan sa PIA’, Gravador explained that the MOA will allow psychiatrists to conduct examination among patients of the provincial and district hospitals and roll out medical missions in the selected towns and villages in the province.

“Mo-provide sila og mga psychiatrist to examine our patients ba, mo-conduct sila og medical mission in our locality para ma-address nila ang mental health sa mga bata nga nanginahanglan sa pagtabang sa ilang pang-isip,” said Gravador.

Gravador said that as of press time, the details of the agreement are not yet known like how the treatment will go and where treatment centers will be. But it is definite that mental patients will be referred and treated by mental health specialists, she said.

Drug Surrenderers

The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) has a program for drug surrenderers in consortium with the PHO, Gravador said.

She explained that under this grouping, the health office utilizes resident psychologists under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) to handle the case of the surrenderers.

Gravador pointed out the need to have cooperation between parents, teachers and the community in addressing and caring for the mental health of our constituents, and especially the youths.

“Ang atong gi-prepare ang mga doctors, kana kung moduol nila, so the burden here, naa sa mga ginikanan ug naa sa mga teachers samtang wa pa na naabot sa kaso ni Mam Hedda (Largo),” said Gravador.

Hedda Largo, focal person for the Provincial Women’s Commission (PWC), was also among the guest during the PIA program held late last week.

In terms of suicide, Gravador said they already have trained doctors in rural health units (RHU) and municipal health centers (MHC) to handle this.

“Maka-diagnose na na sila sa mga batan-on nga moadto sa centro (rural health centers),” she said.

First level of intervention is in the municipal health centers or RHU. If they cannot manage the condition, they will refer the patient to a psychiatrist, said Gravador.

“At present naay plano si Provincial Health Officer ug si Gov nga mag-tukod og mental health facility sa Pinamungajan, that’s actually good news,” Gravador said.

cebu.gov.ph