Maharashtra district hospitals lack functional 10-bed psychiatric units

Mumbai: Maharashtra’s 32 district hospitals currently lack functional 10-bed psychiatric units, and patients with severe mental health conditions across the state are being referred to four regional mental hospitals for inpatient care.

The lack of district-level inpatient services is forcing patients and their families to travel long distances when hospitalisation becomes necessary. It has also increased the burden on regional mental hospitals (RMHs) in Pune, Thane, Nagpur and Ratnagiri, which cater to patients from across the state.

The DMHP was launched in 1996 under the National Mental Health Programme and aims to bring mental healthcare closer to patients and integrate psychiatric services with general healthcare. Under the programme, district hospitals are expected to operate 10-bed psychiatric units offering inpatient treatment, counselling, medication, rehabilitation and follow-up care.  

However, while the programme continues to operate, the inpatient component has not become functional at district hospitals. According to officials, staff appointed under the programme, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses and psychiatric social workers, are also being deployed for other healthcare responsibilities. 

This leaves patients who require admission dependent on the four RMHs. Official figures show that these hospitals together recorded around 2.29 lakh outpatient and inpatient cases in 2025-26. Nagpur accounted for 73,208 patients, followed by Pune with 64,598, Thane with 60,803 and Ratnagiri with 30,489. The combined patient load at the four hospitals was around 2.12 lakh in each of the preceding two years.

The issue has also raised concerns over the additional financial and logistical burden on families. A relative of a patient at RMH Pune said repeated travel for treatment increases expenses, while securing admission can also become difficult when the patient's condition deteriorates.

According to Hindustan Times, Dr Shrinivas Kolod, Additional Director (Mental Health) and Chief Executive Officer of the State Mental Health Authority, Maharashtra, said, “We have to strengthen the comprehensive mental health programme, activate indoor facilities and expand outreach. People come from far-off places, even 500 kilometres away. Treatment at the primary level and early intervention can prevent patients from reaching a severe condition”.

Health activist Sharad Shetty has urged the Maharashtra government to implement these units in every district hospital. In a letter dated August 31, he pointed out that several hospitals already have personnel appointed under the programme but are yet to provide the intended inpatient services.

Kolod has suggested that civil surgeons arrange additional teams and specialists wherever necessary. He also said medical residents working under the district residency programme could be utilised for patient care.

Making these district-level facilities functional could reduce the dependence on regional mental hospitals and allow patients to receive timely psychiatric care closer to their homes, particularly when early intervention could prevent their conditions from becoming more severe.