Senators discuss mental health care
SENATORS underscored the importance of mental health care in a public hearing conducted by the Committee on Health and Demography on the implementation of Republic Act. No. 11306 or the Mental Health Act
“According to the Department of Education, a total of 404 learners from public schools committed suicide in 2021 and 2,147 learners attempted suicide. Until now there are many reports of suicide or attempted suicide in schools,” said Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.
He deplored the condition of patients inside the NCMH where they were reportedly treated unjustly or even worse than animals.
“The state of NCMH is in need of utmost attention. How can we decongest the NCMH to improve its current state? We need to improve the basic right of all Filipinos to health care,” Go stressed.
Senator Raffy Tulfo said this is something alarming that the government should not take for granted considering that some unscrupulous elements are taking advantage of this situation inside the Mental institution.
Tulfo called for a deeper probe into the reported corruption inside the medical facilities that their days are already numbered.
In the hearing, Tulfo slammed NCMH officials for reportedly squandering the budget intended for the medical needs of the mental health patients to corruption.
“The National Center for Mental Health is not the mother of all irregularities. It is the dinosaur of all corruption because corruption inside NCMH has been happening for ages,” said Tulfom as he vowed to go after these corrupt officials for the sake of mental health patients.
Tulfo has filed a resolution urging the Senate to investigate the condition of the NCMH facilities citing most of the mental health patients are not receiving proper treatment and support as well as proper care that they badly need.
