The Department of Health (DOH) expressed its gratitude to former Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, April 18, for highlighting the shortage of psychiatrists and mental health practitioners, both locally and globally, and reiterated its commitment to addressing the issue.
The DOH said that Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, in collaboration with members of the Philippine Council for Mental Health, has taken proactive measures to tackle the shortage effectively.
In coordination with medical and allied health professional societies, the DOH is establishing a National Health Workforce Registry (NHWR) to track practitioners and their locations.
Mental health services are integral to primary care, with 49 percent of local health personnel already trained in the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) protocol. Additional training initiatives are underway to further bolster capacity.
To broaden access to mental health resources, free e-learning modules and support services are available online through the DOH Academy.
Data from the Philippine Psychiatric Association revealed a scarcity, with only 651 psychiatrists, 516 psychiatric nurses, and 133 psychologists nationwide.
Recognizing the need for Filipino mental health professionals aligns with the broader goal of achieving universal health care.
“Mental health is a top priority outlined in the DOH Action Agenda, specifically emphasizing the 'Ginhawa ng Isip at Damdamin' (Well-being of the Mind and Emotions),” DOH said.
The DOH reaffirmed its commitment to prioritize mental health and wellness initiatives, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to ensure accessible mental health services for all Filipinos.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/17/ex-vp-robredo-laments-lack-of-psychiatrists-in-ph