FOR BETTER CARE: So (third left) hands over a CCTV sponsorship to Dr Ngieng while Dr Razjeh (second left) and others look on.
SIBU: The Psychiatric Unit of Sibu Hospital will soon install a CCTV system with 32 cameras, courtesy of Kolej Ita principal Dato Sri Dr Benny Lee.
The chairman of Psychiatric Board of Visitors and Mental Health Association, So Teck Kee, symbolically handed over the sponsorship to Sibu Hospital director Dr Ngieng Hui Hung yesterday at the psychiatric ward.
Dr Ngieng said the CCTV system is important to ensure the security and safety of psychiatric patients.
“CCTV cameras are not encouraged to be set up in other wards because of certain problems, but we have to make exceptions for the psychiatric ward because we understand we cannot follow the patients around constantly,” she pointed out.
She said with the CCTV, nurses and workers would be able to monitor the patients’ movements to provide better care for them.
She also said greater promotion of mental health is needed to eliminate the stigma on psychiatric patients.
She said psychiatric patients are not necessarily crazy; some could experience mild anxiety or depression.
“However, there are chronic cases. We hope, through the board, we can further promote mental health to enable the people to live life to the fullest,” she said.
Psychiatric Department head Dr Razjeh Robert Drahman said the CCTV was very much needed at the ward to avoid unexpected incidents.
He said to ensure the safety and better care of the psychiatric patients the Sibu hospital had taken the initiative to renovate the ward.
“However, unexpected incidents could happen. With the CCTV we can always monitor their activities,” he pointed out.
He also urged more non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to contribute to the unit.
He said the number of psychiatric patients is increasing every year. Hence, more budgetary allocations are needed to provide better service and care for the patients.
There are presently about 30 psychiatric patients at the ward.