70% of St. Giles Hospital Admissions are Substance Abuse Cases

St. Giles Hospital is seeing a troubling rise in substance abuse cases, with 756 admissions reported as of September this year.

This marks a significant increase compared to 570 admissions in 2021.

During the Speaker’s Debate, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Myriellie Allen shared that the number of admissions has been steadily rising over the years, with 886 patients admitted last year.

She noted that about 70 percent of those admitted are substance use patients, not including those with existing mental health issues.

Dr. Allen explained that while they used to identify hotspots for admissions, like the Suva to Nausori corridor, they now see patients from all over Fiji, including outer islands like Gau, Lau, Taveuni, Ovalau, and Kadavu.

The common reasons for hospital admissions include aggressive behavior, property damage, threatening villagers, incoherent speech, responding to things that aren't there, and disorganized actions.

From a health perspective, Dr. Allen emphasized the importance of preventing further harm to patients’ brains and mental health.

She advocates for the creation of a therapeutic community or a closed facility, especially when family support is lacking, as this poses a significant challenge in treatment.