Mental health and high blood pressure priorities in new national health plan

Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks announced details of a new National Health Policy and Strategic Plan for the Cayman Islands, saying it was “a comprehensive roadmap for a health care system that is inclusive, resilient and responsive to the needs of every Caymanian.”

She said that a top priority for government was to implement the findings of the STEPS 2023 National Health Survey, including adopting the Pan American Health Organization’s HEARTS initiative aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension and related conditions, with nearly one in three adults in the Cayman Islands having elevated blood pressure.

Focus on mental health

Mental health was also high on the agenda, with Ebanks-Wilks pointing out that, according to National Drug Council’s 2024 student survey, one in four students in the Cayman Islands has considered suicide and one in eight has attempted it.

“Many spoke openly at the Inspire Youth event about loneliness, pressure, bullying and feeling unseen,” she told the assembled MPs. “Their message was honest and urgent. These young people need safe spaces. They need support and they need a government that truly cares.”

She added, “My ministry is responding with a renewed focus on prevention, early intervention and stronger community-based mental health support. This is how we turn concern into compassion.”

Ebanks-Wilks announced plans to build a new mental health facility for young people as well as establishing a four-bed, age and gender segregated inpatient ward providing specialised treatment for adolescents with acute mental health challenges in Anthony S. Eden Hospital by the end of next year.

She also announced the creation of a mobile mental health nursing team to deliver onsite interventions and crisis supports to children, young people and adults and said that Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre was continuing to strengthen its role of recovery and reintegration.

Chronic disease challenge

Ebanks-Wilks noted that the previous National Health Policy and Strategic Plan that was developed in 2012 had expired in 2017, and since then, she said, challenges such as rising rates of chronic disease called for reforms to make the health care system more efficient and said that the new measures should reduce government costs over time.

Other plans include:

• Separating the Public Health Department out from the Health Services Authority to create an independent National Public Health Department to focus on preventative care and tracking the nation’s health
• Creating a framework for child safeguarding within healthcare facilities in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development to make sure that child protection standards are upheld across all sectors
• Building coordinated health regulations including introducing codes of practice for clinicians
• Implementing a digital service platform to streamline operations and improve oversight
• Introducing electronic prescriptions
• Updating the Health Practice Act and Health Insurance Commission

Independent MP for Bodden Town West Chris Saunders said that he was “very happy to hear that there will be some focus on mental health,” adding that the Caribbean in general has been slow to deal with the issue of mental health.

“We never took it as serious as we should. We kind of put a stigma to it and we never gave it the importance that it is,” he said.

“So I am happy to see that Cayman is finally getting up to the world in recognising that and I think credit has to be given to the Alex Panton Foundation and others who have really been working hard to push this issue forward.”