Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/327636
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 JUNE 2014 News 5 MIRIAM DALLI A new ward with six beds for women suffering from drug addiction and mental health problems was inau- gurated at Mount Carmel Hospital. While such a specialised ward already exists for male patients, fe- male patients with dual diagnosis were placed in the same wards as other patients. The new specialised care will fa- cilitate the patients' rehabilitation and their integration back into so- ciety. According to parliamentary sec- retary for health Chris Fearne, over 50% of drug abusers suffered from mental health problems as well. "Our goal is to continue specialis- ing in the care we give. While the government has a zero tolerance policy against drug barons, society must do all that is possible to help victims of drug abuse," he said. It is expected that patients at the Female Dual Diagnosis Unit spend a maximum of six weeks during which they will undergo a detoxifi- cation process followed by therapy for their mental health problems. Rehabilitation and integration back into society should follow suit. The junior minister said Mt Car- mel Hospital would continue to in- vest in specialised care: last week, Opposition MP Claudio Grech said the political forces should come together and develop a strategy were minors suffering from mental health problems receive care in a more specialised and adequate en- vironment. Due to the lack of a proper facility for children, clinical decisions have led to minors being placed in seclu- sion wards or in wards with adults. In Fearne's own words, children with behavioural problems, includ- ing those suffering from problems not relating to mental health, were placed in the hospital's young peo- ple's unit. "There are problems which have been going on for years and which we have inherited. They were wrong before and remain so today. The next step is for us to offer a special- ised service to children. We will ad- dress it," Fearne said. Echoing his comments, Mount Carmel CEO Clifton Grima said there were different areas of spe- cialisations the hospital could start focusing on. Grima pointed out that not every patient with a mental health prob- lem had to be placed in an institu- tion: "There are patients who can and are receiving care within the community. This service should be expanded." New female ward for mental health sufferers with drug problems The Female Dual Diagnosis Unit was inaugurated at Mt Carmel Hospital yesterday. Second from left: parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne Man robbed at Tigné Point A man walking near Tigné Point in Sliema was robbed by two male youths, who grabbed two bags he was holding. This snatch-and-grab happened today at around 2.00pm when the man was approached by the two thieves. They grabbed the two large bags, containing beach accessories, and ran away. Police from the Rapid Interven- tion Unit responded in few minutes and conducted a search for the two youths but they could not be found. The victim filed a report with the District Police, who are investigat- ing the theft. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD