According to him, the current practice where psychiatric facilities are distanced from mainstream hospitals serves as a disincentive to the well-being of mental patients.
Dr. Donnir further maintained that victims of non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes and end stage kidney problems as a reaction from the condition, may present symptoms that might look like psychiatric problems.
As such, they will require consultation-liaison services from the psychiatrist for a conclusive diagnosis.
Dr. Gordon Donnir was delivering a lecture on “Psychiatry Practice in the General Hospital Setting”, in Kumasi.
He therefore appealed for the training of more specialists, nurses and other medical staff to enable them offer inter-dependent optimal general care to match up with the expanding multidisciplinary and sub-disciplinary structures of mental health.
The ceremony was held in commemoration of the World Mental Health Day, which coincided with the out dooring of the ‘Alcoholic and Narcotic Anonymous’- a drug addiction rehabilitation group.
“The practice of psychiatry in a general hospital results in multidisciplinary practice of medicine, knowledge and skill transfer/sharing, de-stigmatization and most importantly mutual respect and understanding among disciplines”, he added.
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Source: GNA