List steps taken to improve state of mental hospitals: Bombay High Court to Maharashtra government

The Bombay high court on Monday directed the state government to list out steps it is taking to improve care and hygiene conditions in four mental hospital in the state.

A division bench of justices Naresh Patil and VL Achliya said, "The authorities should generate awareness about mental illness and its symptoms among public so that people can approach psychiatrists in case they feel they have one or more symptoms."

The bench made these observations after going through a report submitted by a judicial officer who made a surprise visit to four mental hospitals in Thane, Pune, Ratnagiri and Nagpur. The court noted that the hospitals' conditions were deplorable, and there was a lack of psychiatrists and psychologists.The bench also suggested that the state may consider privatisation of government-run hospitals so that those admitted can be given better treatment/surroundings. The court has adjourned the hearing by two weeks.

The observations were made during the hearing of a PIL filed by Vrushali Kalal, who along with social workers had visited the mental hospital in Thane in 2009 and found that the diet provided to patients was deficient. Food samples were sent to a laboratory, which said in its report the food was adulterated and not fit for human consumption.

Further, it said the condition of the kitchen was the worst, as insects were found in the raw material for preparing food. The petition is seeking implementation of the provisions of Mental Health Act, 1987 in all the four hospitals.