DESPITE an existing devolved health system, the Department of Health (DOH) wants to have a uniform implementation of the country's mental health program as soon as possible.
In an interview at the sidelines of the 2nd Public Health Convention on Mental Health, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that she has already signed an Administrative Order (AO) for the implementation of a mental health program nationwide.
“It is needed for uniformity because the existing mental health programs are just pilot-test and being implemented only in certain regions and not on national level,” said Ubial.
The official said the newly signed AO contains a comprehensive framework of how the mental health program will be implemented at all levels of the health system, including barangays health centers.
“With an Administrative Order, it defines the nationwide implementation of the program,” she said.
The move, she furthered, is in line with the plan of the Duterte administration to develop a program that will encourage having community-based health care for mental health patients.
“More or less, the facility-based treatment will be for acute care,” said Ubial.
In her speech, the health chief said mental health and drug problem have become so prevalent in the country that the Duterte administration intends to prioritize and address it immediately.
DOH data shows that an estimated 2 to 3 million suffer from serious mental illness in the country.
Also, the DOH said almost one in every 100 households (0.7 percent) has been found to have a member having mental disability.
“The DOH is changing the paradigm and for the first time, mental health will be at the forefront of the health agenda,” Ubial said.
Proof of this, she said, is the decision of the DOH to increase the budget allocation for the mental health program to P220 million for 2017.
“We are seeking a P220 million budget, which is a several folds increase from the P36 million budget, for mental health programs this year,” Ubial said.
This, she said, is aside from the P1.2 billion to be allocated for the upgrading of the existing mental health facilities in the country.
To note, the DOH has a proposed budget for 2017 amounting to P90.9 billion. (HDT/Sunnex)