Out Patient Department There can be no disagreement with the universally acclaimed truth that human dignity is the quintessence of human rights. Every human being is entitled to be treated with dignity, decency, equality and freedom regardless of the fact that they are born differently, grow differently, are different in their mental make up, thought process and life-style. Negation of this would mean negation of human rights. A person with mental illness is entitled to treatment with the same dignity and decency as any other human being. Availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality are the core obligations and elements of the right to health. A mentally ill person is in need of special care and attention in the hospital for the simple reason that he/she is unable to fend for himself/herself. The responsibility for special care and attention also lies with the mental health care institutions. No person seeking help for mental distress or illness should be refused examination at the OPD on any ground whatsoever. Similarly, no patient should be refused admission as an inpatient if the same is considered absolutely necessary by the physician examining him/her. Section 10 of the Mental Health Act, 1987 clearly provides that every psychiatric hospital and psychiatric nursing home shall be maintained subject to conditions prescribed in Rule 20 of the State Mental health Rules, 1990. Under these conditions the OPD should have minimum facilities for handling medical emergencies for outdoor patients; a large well lit and ventilated hall with sufficient number of chairs to seat persons seeking consultation and accompanying family members and provision of potable water, toilet, television, newspaper stand with provision for local newspapers, few journals and periodicals etc.; sufficient number of registration counters to cater to the needs of people in different age groups (adults, adolescents, elderly and the children) as also women and men; the data entry operator to computerize data relating to personal history, case history, family history, demographic profile etc.; record room for storage of case files of patients; a smooth arrangement to retrieve the case files in less time and sending them to the MO concerned for medical examination of the patient; drug dispensing unit; two emergency rooms (one for male and another for female) to keep patients who turn up after the OPD hours for the overnight to enable them to avail the OPD services next day; a well equipped Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) facility for sedating disturbed individuals in the outpatient (OPD) setting; Psycho diagnostic facilities; Pathological laboratory; X-Ray, ECG and EEG rooms; Physiotherapy centre; a canteen as an integral part of OPD to serve tea and snacks to the OPD patients and their family members/relatives. Care and Treatment in Mental Health Institutions– Some Glimpses in the Recent Period 35