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Docs want insurance for patients

Seeing the rising impact of the burden of mental illnesses on families, psychiatrists in the city feel it is high time that medical insurance starts covering such illnesses as well.

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Seeing the rising impact of the burden of mental illnesses on families, psychiatrists in the city feel it is high time that medical insurance starts covering such illnesses as well.

Dr Shubhangi Parkar, deputy dean of academics and professor of psychiatry in KEM hospital, Parel said, “Medical insurance is the need of the hour for mental health. Lack of awareness on mental illness has been a major road block.”

Doctors say that mental illnesses like dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and acute depression should at least be covered by insurance as their treatment takes a longer time and is expensive.   

Dr Sanjay Kumawat, a senior psychiatrist said, “Schizophrenia strikes at an early age. The youth becomes totally dependent on the family. If they can’t afford the treatment, the patient drops out. Insurance can take care of such things.”

Psychiatrists also feel that NGOs have ignored this sector. “We don’t have NGOs who can help with funding. In case of cancer and other diseases, we have dedicated NGOs who help families in gathering funds,” added Dr Kumawat.

According to sources, there are only 200 beds for psychiatric patients in government hospitals in the city. Private hospitals refuse to admit a psychiatric patient unless certified by a doctor.
Dr Harish Shetty, a senior psychiatrist at LH Hiranandani hospital said, “In the last few years, cost of care for mentally ill patients have gone up. New drugs are very expensive and are not easily available at municipal hospitals. Even in the private sector, people don’t want to invest in a centre dedicated to such cases.”

According to government figures around 15-20% of the population suffers from some or the other form of mental illness. 1% of the population suffers from serious disorders while 5-10% of Indians suffer from moderate disorders.

 

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