DILI, 07 september 2022 (TATOLI)— Timor-Leste adopted the Paro Declaration, to have universal access to ‘People-Centered Mental Health Care and Services’.
The Paro Declaration was adopted by Timor-Leste and ten other member countries of the WHO (SEARO-South East Asia Region) WHO (World Health Organization) at the Ministerial Roundtable on addressing mental health through primary care and community engagement on the second day of the ongoing 75th Session.
The 11 countries members of SEARO are Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
“There is no health without mental health. Increase investment in mental health, including for preventive and promotive services at the primary care level, reduce medical costs and increase productivity, employment, and quality of life,” said WHO SEARO Regional Director, Poonam Khetrapal Singh in a statement released by WHO.
The Declaration urges Member States to develop and implement multisectoral policies throughout life to address mental health risks and reduce treatment gaps exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring mental health services reach all those in need.
As part of the Declaration, Member States agreed to develop country-specific targets for achieving universal primary care-oriented mental health services and primary mental health in policy planning, implementation, and evaluation.
The Paro Declaration also calls for increased funding for community-based mental health networks and the continued supply of medicines and rehabilitation, including occupational therapy for all those who need it, and strengthened data collection and reporting, implementation research, and performance monitoring, to ensure context-sensitive improvement of the mental health system.
About one in seven people live with a mental health condition in the Southeast Asian region. The personal and economic hardships and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have widened the gap in addressing mental health challenges, which include scarcity of human resources, low investment, stigma, inadequate prevention and promotion programs, lack of data, and lack of services. in the primary care setting.
Member States commit to expanding the specialized and non-specialized mental health workforce by identifying a new cadre of health care personnel who are specifically trained, equipped, and skilled to provide mental health services at the primary care level and work as part of multidisciplinary teams within the sector. health.
Journalist: Jose De Sa
Editor: Nelia B.
