Zaiedy (second left), Dr Davis (second right) and Dr Siti (right) show their thumbs-up for the programme.
BINTULU: The hospital here should have its own psychiatric ward in order to give the best medical treatment and support to those suffering from mental health disorders.
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s political secretary Zaiedy Nor Abu Nasir said this during the Mental Health Week 2015 programme at Bintulu Hospital yesterday.
“As an industrial town with vast development, there are many cases of mental disorders recorded here due to various factors such as marital problems and work-related stress, resulting in a crucial need for such a facility,” he said.
Zaiedy said he had handled many cases related to mental illness throughout his time here as Tiong’s political secretary.
Unfortunately, these patients had to be referred to either Sibu or Miri to seek further treatment because Bintulu Hospital lacked the capacity or means to handle such cases.
“If the ministry does not have the funds, I can discuss with the Bintulu MP so that next year, we can allocate some funds under ‘Projek Mesra Rakyat’ for renovations and to set up a psychiatric ward (here),” said Zaiedy.
Meanwhile, Zaiedy also proposed for the setup of Mentari Centre, which is currently operating from a shophouse at Tanjung Batu, to be relocated to the old town centre next to the Senior Citizen’s Centre, in order to make it more convenient for those seeking support.
Zaiedy said the proposal would be forwarded to the Bintulu Development Authority for approval.
Mentari is a community centre where individuals with mental health problems can come to and seek support. It was set up with the aid of non-governmental organisations and Bintulu Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health.
Activities held yesterday included a talk on mental disorders by Bintulu Hospital Psychology and Counselling Unit officer Awat Jawa, a briefing by a representative from Mentari Centre and a health exhibition.
Among those present were Bintulu Hospital director Dr Davis Johnraj and Psychiatric Unit head Dr Siti Zubaidah Ismail.