The National Mental Health Programme came into existence in 1982. However, due to various reasons the Programme was not effectively implemented. In the year 1989, Sheela Barse a Social Activist filed a writ petition in the Hon’ble Supreme Court against Union of India and others regarding jailing of the mentally ill in West Bengal.

 

            The Hon’ble Supreme Court gave certain directions to all the States in the country. In response to this, an affidavit on behalf of the Haryana Govt. was filed by the then Chief Secretary, in which the directions of the Hon’ble Court were accepted and agreed to be implemented. The Indian Lunancy Act of 1912 and 1977 were repealed and the Mental Health Act of 1987 was accepted. The State Govt. broadly accepted the recommendations, made by the commission appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, on the mentally ill in jails in West Bengal.

 

 

            The general health services are being imparted to the community through a net work of 2299, Sub Centres, 401 Primary Health Centres, 64 Community Health Centres and 44 Hospitals. The Psychiatric services are available in the Medical College, Rohtak and in the Psychiatric Clinics of Ambala and Karnal which has a bed strength of 8 and 7 respectively. In addition Psychiatrists are also posted at Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Bhiwani, Hisar and Faridabad. Psychiatry Deptt. of Medical College, Rohtak has a bed strength of 64 beds, 32 males and 32 females.

 

            There are no Mental Hospital in the State. The patients requiring admission in the Mental Hospital are sent to Mental Hospital, Amritsar. There is a need for establishing a Mental Hospital in the State and the proposal of this is being put up by Medical College, Rohtak to the State Govt.

 

            According to statistics available, the population of Haryana is 1.9 crores. Taking the prevalence rate of 1% (study done by Govt. of India). 1,90,000 people are suffering from serious mental diseases and require hospitalization for some period. The number of minor ailments like neurosis, psyuchosomatic disease are about 4 to 5 times higher. The mental health care facilities in Haryana to cope with these problems are very meagre.

 

 

i)                    To provide minimum services for treatment of mental illness.

 

ii)                  Integrate the Mental Health Programme in the general Health services.

 

iii)                To rehabilitate persons suffering from chronic mental sickness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i)                    The State Mental Authority has been notified on 20.5.1994.

 

ii)                  The Director General Health Services, Haryana has been notified the Licensing Authority under the Mental Health Act-1987 vide letter dated 20.5.1994.

 

iii)                The first meeting of the State Mental Health Authority was held on 29.7.1996.

 

iv)                The second meeting of the State Mental Authority which was the annual meeting of the year 1999 was held on 27.4.1999. The next meeting is being held on 10.8.1999. the annual meeting for the year 2000 was held on 8.2.2000.

 

v)                  The District Mental Health Programme is being implemented on a pilot project basis in Districts Kurukshetra. The funding for five year is being done by the Govt. of India to the tune of Rs. 1.5 crores. This include training, recruitment of staff, provision of medicines and IEC activities etc. The Nodal Agency is Medical College, Rohtak and the funds have been sent straight to medical College, Rohtak and State Government.

 

vi)                Under this Programme a Psychiatrist is posted at LNJP Hospital Kurukshetra & Psychiatric services (outdoor & indoor) are being implemented which are being monitored by Dr. A.K. Vohra, Head of Psychiatry Deptt., Medical College, Rohtak. As per their report, the progress of the Programme is satisfactory.

 

vii)              Two batches of Medical Officers from Kurukshetra (Approx. 15 each) & one batch of para medical staff have been imparted training in Community Mental Health for 15 days for proper implementation of this Programme, at PGIMS, Rohtak.

 

viii)            The printing of IEC Material in under progress.

 

ix)                The sanction for appointment of Psychiatrist under the District Mental Health Programme has been received & the interview has to be conducted by Dr. A.K. Vohra, Head of Psychiatry Deptt. PGIMS, Rohtak.

 

x)                  The proposal for the State Mental Health Cell and Psychiatric Clinic for District Bhiwani for the year 1999-2000 has been sent to the State Govt. vide letter dated 9.2.1999 and reminder dated 16.4.1999. This issue was also discussed in the meeting of the State Mental Health Authority on 27.4.1999. No reply has been received from the Govt. so far. There is no provision in the budget for the scheme in the year 2000-2001.