Cambodia's health care system struggles to cope with mentally ill

 25-May-16, Channel News Asia 

For mental health patients in Cambodia, long waits are far from uncommon at Phnom Penh's busiest psychiatric clinic inside the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. Although its outpatient department is the biggest in the country, the facility only has 13 registered psychiatrists and 12 nurses to treat hundreds of patients per day. For those with serious conditions that require continual specialised care, there are ten beds available.

Image: Channel News Asia

Mental health problems are widespread in Cambodia. Some patients are locked up at home or chained to trees, as their family members do not know how to deal with the symptoms. Health care services exist but are hard to access, particularly in rural areas. And some patients are dropped off at the clinic with their hands and legs tied, said Sou Sarifin, a psychiatrist at the clinic.

“One doctor treats about 50 patients each day,” said Sarifin. The limited resources mean that not every patient can be seen, consultations last minutes, and treatment is often limited to prescription drugs.

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