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Western Cape Health MEC, Nomafrench Mbombo, has announced a R30 million funding allocation to address mental health issues.

Health authorities have confirmed that their facilities are facing a high number of cases related to mental health.

Part of the funding with be given to child, adolescent and psycho-geriatric services.

With more funding directed to rural district hospitals, in order to capacitate them.

Mbombo says the health department wants to prevent those cases being transferred to the Cape Town Metro.

“We don’t leave [rural areas] behind, because there are also some of these challenges… For example, we are adding psychiatry unit beds in the district hospitals, where patients at the emergency care centres could [have] a space to be observed.” – Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Health MEC

Mbombo adds that a societal approach is also needed to address the issue.

“We are appealing to other sectors [and] other communities to make sure we make it work. Because not all people need medical treatment. With the young people, we find that substance abuse is some of the contributing factors of the psychosis. Let’s work together to ensure that at least prevention is better than cure.” – Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, Western Cape Health MEC

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