14-Apr-2015 MUMBAI : The Bombay high court on Monday directed the state government to list out steps it is taking to improve care and hygiene conditions in four mental hospital in the state. A division bench of justices Naresh Patil and VL Achliya said, "The authorities should generate awareness about mental illness and its symptoms among public so that people can approach psychiatrists in case they feel they have one or more symptoms." The bench made these observations after going through a report submitted by a judicial officer who made a surprise visit to four mental hospitals in Thane, Pune, Ratnagiri and Nagpur. The court noted that the hospitals' conditions were deplorable, and there was a lack of psychiatrists and psychologists.The bench also suggested that the state may consider privatisation of government-run hospitals so that those admitted can be given better treatment/surroundings. The court has adjourned the hearing by two weeks. The observations were made during the hearing of a PIL filed by Vrushali Kalal, who along with social workers had visited the mental hospital in Thane in 2009 and found that the diet provided to patients was deficient. Food samples were sent to a laboratory, which said in its report the food was adulterated and not fit for human consumption. Further, it said the condition of the kitchen was the worst, as insects were found in the raw material for preparing food. The petition is seeking implementation of the provisions of Mental Health Act, 1987 in all the four hospitals. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-list-steps-taken-to-improve-state-of-mental-hospitals-bombay-high-court-to-maharashtra-government-2077243
HC suggests privatisation of state-run mental hospitals in Maharashtra 13-Apr-2015 MUMBAI : Expressing concern over Maharashtra government's apathy towards the condition in state-run mental hospitals, the Bombay High Court today sought to know what steps will be taken towards improving it and also suggested their privatisation. A division bench of Justices N H Patil and V L Achliya was hearing a public interest litigation by social worker Vrushali Kalal who had raised the issue and sought a direction to the government to improve the condition of mental hospitals in Thane, Pune, Ratnagiri and Nagpur. Apart from several other points, the petition is seeking implementation of the provisions of Mental Health Act in the four state-run mental hospitals. The High Court had earlier asked judicial officers to conduct surprise checks at the hospitals and submit a report. After perusing the report, the bench today said the condition at the hospitals were deplorable and no psychologist or psychiatrist was available at any of the hospitals and none of the hospitals has a rehabilitation programme. "What steps has the government taken after perusal of the report? The government should consider privatisation of these hospitals," the court said. It also opined that the government should generate public awareness about mental illness and its symptoms so that people are not hesitant to approach psychologists to seek help. http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/hc-suggests-privatisation-of-state-run-mental-hospitals-in-mah-115041300687_1.html -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
