Analysis of the pathway of developing a national mental health plan for Suriname

ABSTRACT: The aim of this analysis was to analyze and describe the steps that have been taken in the development of the mental health policy in Suriname after the WHO AIMS. The objectives are: 1.To review the steps to be taken in developing a mental health policy and plan for a country 2.To gather information and data concerning mental health policy and plan development in Suriname 3.To draw conclusion from the experience gained that can be applied to other countries. In general, the information that was gathered from the four countries Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname, was compared with the WHO steps for developing a mental health policy and plan. Were these steps taken into consideration, when developing their mental health policy and plan? If not, what were the reasons why it did not happen? The checklist for evaluating a mental health plan was used in Suriname. This checklist assisted to see if the results of the recommendations given by the WHO AIMS to develop a effective and balanced mental health plan were taken into consideration. The mayor findings of the analysis are that Suriname as well as Guyana used the steps in developing their mental health policy and plan. Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago did not develop a mental health policy and plan. Suriname and Guyana have a mental health coordinating body at the Ministry of Health. Trinidad & Tobago as well as Barbados have a mental health focal person at the Ministry of Health of the respective countries. It can be concluded that successfully improving of health systems and services for mental health is combining theoretical concepts, expert knowledge and cooperation of many stakeholders. The appointment of a mental health coordinating unit at the Ministry of Health is crucial for the development of mental health in a country. Furthermore, mental health is everyone’s business and responsibility. Implementing the steps to be taken when developing a mental health policy and plan as recommended by WHO may be a slow process requiring the mobilization of political will. That’s why it is crucial that persons responsible for this process work close with all stakeholders in relevant sectors, taking their needs into consideration and try to translate that in clear objectives. It is common knowledge that improving the quality of mental health must be accompanied by the availability of financial and human resources. Finally, a mental health policy and plan should be one document tackling all aspects of mental health of a community.

La conservación in situ de mosaicos en Calpe. Teoria y realidad

El yacimiento de los Baños de la Reina de Calpe se encuentra situado en un enclave turístico de primer orden, al lado del mar, en las proximidades del Peñón de Ifach, zona de reserva natural protegida. Aunque se conoce desde el siglo XVII por las referencias de Gaspar Escolano, las primeras excavaciones se realizaron en 1792, dirigidas por el botánico Antonio José Cavanilles. Fue en ese momento cuando se descubrió un conjunto de pavimentos de mosaico opus tessellatum que, tras ser dibujados, se volvieron a enterrar y que actualmente deben aun permanecer debajo de varias edificaciones. Sin embargo, los descubrimientos más interesantes de mosaicos romanos en los Baños de la Reina se han localizado en la parte más oriental del área arqueológica, gracias a las excavaciones realizadas durante el periodo de 1986-1988 y, de forma más intensa, entre 1993 y 1999. Estos trabajos sacaron a la luz una zona termal y una interesante área residencial de unos 2000 m2, del siglo II-III d.C., estructurada alrededor de un patio poligonal con pavimentos opus tessellatum y opus sectile. Desde septiembre de 2005 se han ido realizado diversos tratamientos de urgencia para poder recuperar los pavimentos, así como algunos estudios e investigaciones puntuales para la caracterización de materiales y sus alteraciones y sobre las metodologías de restauración más adecuadas. Sin embargo, falta todavía un proyecto integral de intervención que aúne la experiencia de distintos profesionales y ponga las bases de un plan de protección y musealización del área arqueológica.