Given the importance of continuous mental health care training for primary health care professionals, a workshop to reinforce WHO mhGAP programme was held in Bogotá, 4-5 September.Twenty-three professionals from ten departments from different parts of the country participated in the workshop, which was facilitated by Dr. Andrea Bruni PAHO / WHO Subregional Advisor on Mental Health and Substance Use.
In addition to theoretical and practical training, the meeting allowed the identification of advances, difficulties and proposals for improving the program in municipalities and departments. The need for constant monitoring and evaluation of the whole process was also highlighted.
In Pasto, Nariño, Dr. Bruni facilitated the mhGAP Intervention Guide Training Workshop for doctors and other health professionals from municipalities of the department. The training focused on conceptual foundations and practical exercises to make better use of the guide.It is subsequently required that national and local authorities develop a program implementation plan,including continuous mental health training, as well as case monitoring and supervision of the use and management of the guide, among other things.
Pasto's health authorities are considering possible strategies for implementing the mhGAP in the region under the leadership of the Departmental Health Secretariat.
