Sangeeta Sharma
New Delhi, Sept 30 (LAB) It’s time for deep and careful internal soul searching to safeguard the rights of persons with mental illness, NHRC Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra said during a visit to Agra Mental Health and Hospital on Friday.
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India delegation conducted a two-day visit to Agra, Uttar Pradesh and also conducted a workshop, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, to discuss the issues and challenges, and to formulate a plan for efficient working of the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra.
Justice Arun Mishra who was the Chief Guest of the workshop urged a sincere, dedicated and determined effort to fight the cause of mentally ill people. Justice Mishra exhorted that persons with mental illnesses are not to be left at the mercy of family members. He said that he was appalled to learn that their own family members disown the persons affected by mental illness and allow them to languish in mental healthcare institutions. Persons suffering from mental illness have an equal share in Civil and Property Rights.
Justice Mishra said that it is time to think over the old ways of functioning. The state needs to step in to ensure the rehabilitation of persons affected by mental health issues. He requested to stop the blame game and urged us to turn the focus toward invoking compassion and empathy. He said, with the honesty of heart and love towards fellow humans, results are possible.
“Before moving on to emulate the best practices, it is important to address the problems faced by the Institute, including shortage of medical and administrative staff and timely payments of salary and the required budget of the Institute for effective functioning of the Institution,” Justice Mishra said.
Earlier, NHRC Member, Justice M.M. Kumar said that implementing the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 by formulation of rules and regulations by the States is the only way for effective functioning of the health care institutions in the State. He called for the establishment and holding of regular meetings of the Mental Healthcare Authorities. Justice Kumar requested synergy and cooperation between various authorities working for the cause of mental healthcare so that awareness and sensitivity are built for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with mental illness.
Making a brief interjection, NHRC Member, Rajiv Jain said that there is a paradigm shift in the treatment of mental illnesses. He urged for a fresh look towards mental illness besides the augmentation of facilities. The NHRC Secretary General, Mr Devendra Kumar Singh talked about the need for preventive and palliative mental health care. He explained in detail various rights of persons suffering from mental health issues, guaranteed under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2917. He called for an equitable and inclusive society where freedom, justice, and dignity for everyone are ensured without any discrimination.
The main points that emerged from the two-day visit, are
Regular meetings of the Mental Health Authority should be held as required under the Act.
Initiate and sustain effective sensitization and awareness workshops, to share the best practices among various stakeholders;
Sincere implementation of the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017;
Strengthening the system of Half Way Home by greater coordination among various departments and civil society organisations.
Registering all the Mental Health Institutions after fixing norms of registration;
• Focusing on the substance abuse disorders, which is harming the youth of the country, special measures to be induced to avoid relapse, and
Increase adequate budgetary allocation for mental health care and for the smooth running of the Institution
Addressing issues relating to a large number of vacancies and filling up the vacant posts.
Mr Pranjal Yadav, Secretary, Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare stated that the Government of Uttar Pradesh is committed to this cause and has released a booklet in Hindi to create awareness on this subject and assured that Government will take all possible measures for effective implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 in the State. Issues relating to adequate budget allocation will also be attended to, he added.
Dr Gyanendra Kumar, Director, Institute of Mental Health and Hospital Agra made a detailed power point presentation before the Commission and Dr Sunil Pandey, CEO, State Mental Authority briefed them about various activities of the authority.
The workshop was also attended by the NHRC Director General (Investigation), Mr Manoj Yadava, and Joint Secretary, Mr H.C Chaudhary. Among others, Mr Vivek Sangal, District and Sessions Judge, Agra, Shri Sunil Kumar, Addl. Director General of Health Services, Government of India; Prof. (Dr.) Pratima Murthy Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) also participated in the discussion./LAB/SNG/