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Manila Bulletin devider devider Implement Mental Health Law, Sotto tells DOH

Implement Mental Health Law, Sotto tells DOH

Published Jun 21, 2018 03:00 pm
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Senate President Vicente Sotto III called for the immediate implementation of the Mental Health Act just signed by President Duterte. Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III gestures after elected as a newly Senate President at Senate Building in Pasay city, May 21,2018.(Czar Dancel) Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III gestures after elected as a newly Senate President at Senate Building in Pasay city, May 21,2018.(Czar Dancel) "Now that the Philippine Mental Health Law is in place. I urge the Department of Health for its immediate implementation to the letter," Sotto, one of the authors of the law, said. Like Sotto, Senator Joel Villanueva, also a co-author to the law, said he looks forward to its implementation. "Praise God! Can't wait for its implementation," Villanueva posted on Twitter. He also thanked the Presidnet for signing the measure, noting that it will benefit Filipinos who are in need of accessible mental health care. "We hope that we can save someone's precious life by the immediate implementation of this landmark law," Villanueva said in a separate statement. Senator Riza Hontiveros, sponsor and co-author of the Senate version of the law, on Thursday morning broke the news about the enactment of the Republic Act 11036, which is seen to address the spate of mental health issues in the country. Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go later confirmed to Palace reporters that Duterte had signed the law. The Palace has yet to release copies of the newly-enacted RA 11036 as of writing. But under the Congress-approved bill, the Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to provide "full-range" psychiatric, psychosocial, neurologic services in regional, provincial at tertiary-level state hospitals. The DOH shall also increase the capability of psychiatrists and concerned doctors, nurses, and other health workers to be able to diagnose patients even in the community level. The measure also establishes anti-stigma at anti-discrimination programs, specifically in schools, to raise awareness on mental health.
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