Discharge fit patients from Mental Hospitals: SC to state governments

Published On 2016-07-19 06:19 GMT | Update On 2016-07-19 06:19 GMT

New Delhi: The Supreme Court issued notice to six states on a PIL seeking discharge of more than 300 patients who have been cured of their mental ailments but are still lodged in hospitals with those under treatment.

The bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thkaur and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar issued notice to West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal. The notices are returnable in six weeks.

The petitioner said his plea is based on the information he has accessed through RTIs and by way of his personal visits to some of the hospitals.

Giving the break-up of the patients whose mental health has been restored and are fit to be discharged, Bansal told the court that at the mental hospital in Varanasi there are 29 persons who are absolutely normal and fit to be discharged; in Jaipur hospital there are 41 persons (23 male and 18 women); in Meghalaya six; in Purulia and Lumbnini Park Hospital in West Bengal there are 29 and 78 persons, respectively; and in Kozhikode 86.

"It is crystal clear" that the (mentally restored) poor people are residing in the mental hospitals along with the mentally ill persons and the tragedy is that there is no one to hear their grievances," the petitioner said.

Seeking the discharge of these cured people, Bansal said they were living in pathetic conditions with mentally ill patients.

The petitioner also sought the framing of guidelines for the relief and rehabilitation of the patients who have become normal.

Referring to his interaction with those who have been cured at the Bareilly hospital, Bansal said he visited one of the wards in the hospital which had two rooms adjacent to each other and in each room there were around 20 mentally ill patients.

"What was disturbing was that along with mentally sick patients, the patients who are absolutely normal and fit to be discharged are also living," he said in his petition.

Bansal said some of the women whose mental health has been restored now, are in Bareilly hospital since 1982, 1984 and the 1990s.

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

savita

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Discharge fit patients from Mental Hospitals: SC to state governments

Similar News

Odisha CM inugurates 73 Ama Hospitals and dialysis centres in 15 Odisha districts

Unfortunate: PG Orthopedic Student at SSKM Hospital succumbs to dengue

GMC Rajouri gets dermatology wing to treat skin related cancer, diseases

LLRM Medical College: Another doctor booked for beating up patient kin

NHA Posts Decentralized Health Protocol (DHP) on Github platform asks private players to commit

Pregabalin effective in relieving symptoms in Functional Dyspepsia, finds study

JnK starts District Residency Program for PG Medical Students

Arthritis Drug linked to Heart-Related Problems and Cancer by FDA