NEW DELHI, Aug 13:
Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today tabled the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore Bill, 2010 that seeks to accord the body the status of national importance in view of growing incidence of mental health cases.
Welcoming the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Basavaraj, BJP, demanded that since the institute would be based in Karnataka, the state should have representation in its committee.
Referring to the Bill’s provision making the institute a deemed university, K Rahman Khan, Congress, noted that besides making available clinical services for neuro surgery, a community centre would be set up for cases of mental illness. However, there was still no provision for offering an undergraduate programme, he regretted.
Appreciating the Bill for “commendable effort” being made in the field of mental health, Narendra Kumar Kashyap, BSP, said similar institutions were required throughout the country. He said one out of every five women suffered from mental health disorder and about 1.8 lakh new patients were added to the numbers every year.
Mr Kashyap demanded that a survey be undertaken to ascertain the exact figure of those afflicted in the country.
T N Seema, CPI(M), welcomed the provisions though noted that some apprehensions pointed out by the standing committee that went into the Bill still remained. She urged that the institute not be turned into a profit-making venture.
Bashista N Singh, JD(U), wanted similar arrangements made in other states and funds earmarked for the poor.
D Bandopadhyaya, AITC, said the Bill would increase the number of psychiatrists in the country. He also highlighted the plight of mentally affected patients and called for their release.
Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) demanded free treatment for patients suffering from mental illness to ensure that their family members do not find them to be a burden.
Tiruchi Siva (TDP) said such hospitals were needed in every state.Baishnab Parida (BJD) regretted that poor people suffering from mental ilness did not have access to proper treatment.
A W Rabi Bernard (AIADMK) observed that in India, every fourth person was afflicted with mental illness and it was high time that such institutions were established in rural areas. He said mental healthcare should be linked with general healthcare.
Ashok Ganguly (Nominated) said mental illness should not be linked with madness and break up of the family system in India had led to such illnesses.
Barun Mukherji (AIFB) demanded regular academic courses to treat such patients.
M Rama Jois (BJP) stressed on counselling and yogic sciences as part of the curriculum.
Renuka Chowdhary (Congress) said there was a fine line between borderline cases and acute cases. She added that there was an urgent need for capacity building.
Saying that the cases of mental sickness have been increasing across the country, D Raja (CPI) demanded that the Centre set up more such institutes in every state. He welcomed the initiative but alleged that the Government has not paid attention to the health sector.
“The Government had said that it would spend two to three per cent of the GDP on health sector. However, the sector is neglected,” he said.
Mr Raja also demanded that the Health Minister ensure that the existing reservation policy in NIMHANS will continue.
Kumar Deepak Das (AGP) urged the Government to pay attention to the northeastern region and set up mental health institutes there. (UNI)
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