scrutinized prior to recruitment, to ensure they encompass the required empathy,
sensitivity, knowledge and skills to serve in an environment such as the NIMH.
6. The language policy at NIMH should be strengthened by assigning staff, including
Doctors, Nurses and Support staff proficient in Tamil. In the absence, steps should be taken
to assign an official Tamil translator(s) with the required knowledge and understanding on
medical terminology and the language required for patient care.
7. A mechanism should be established to ensure all required medications are continuously
supplied to the NIMH with no space for shortage of necessary medication at any given
time. A quality control system must also be established to ensure such medications are of
the required quality.
To the NIMH
8. Routine trainings should be conducted to staff at all levels to;
a. enhance their knowledge and capacity required to execute the daily duties and
responsibilities entrusted to them.
b. equip them with required knowledge and understanding on human rights, in
particular on rights of patients and staff
c. enhance language proficiency, specifically by way of Tamil Language Training
thereby ensuring proper communication with Tamil speaking patients.
9. The impact and the effectiveness of all trainings mentioned above must also be evaluated.
If such trainings proved to be ineffective, the administration must take all possible efforts
to change the training in a meaningful way to enhance the quality and effectiveness.
10. An internal mechanism should be established to monitor the meals provided to the patients.
This includes, monitoring and ensuring adequate quantity of food inclusive of required
nutrition is provided to the patients on time.
11. The Director of the NIMH, should take swift measures to establish an internal reporting
mechanism to ensure all incidents of violence at the NIMH, is reported to the hospital
management immediately.
12. Steps should be taken to publicly display at the premises of the NIMH, the rights of the
patients and their families and the grievance mechanisms available to them. Such
information should be displayed in all three official languages of the State.
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