ALL psychiatric cases involving people below the age of 16 are admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s stress management ward in Suva.
St Giles Hospital acting medical superintendent Dr Kiran Gaikwad said they were only responsible for patients above the ages of 16.
“I can’t disclose all the medical information about patients, but I can confirm there are young patients,” Dr Gaikwad said.
“We only take patients who are 16 years old and above, below, they are too young to be in a mental hospital.
“We haven’t come across such situation yet, but if we do come across any, then they will be kept at the stress management ward at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.”
Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the stress wards were in all major hospitals across the country.
He said psychiatric cases brought to CWMH were also admitted at the ward.
“If it is a very severe case then it is referred to St Giles Hospital and if not, it’s handled at the stress management ward,” Dr Waqainabete said.
“Some cases are treated at the ward and they return to the community. “If that wasn’t so, then St Giles will be really full because they have a ward in Lautoka and Labasa.”
