Physical Conditions: Space available, adequate light and ventilation in closed
wards (separate for male and female); family wards (separate for male and
female); private paying wards (separate for male and female); accommodation
available for the MO and the nursing staff at a point adjacent to the ward; an
auditorium for holding cultural events, Patient toilet ratio and Patient fan ratio.
Inpatient Services: Tidiness of wards, adequacy of dresses, change of dress
and linens, and privacy of patients.
Supportive Services: Telephone service; separate occupational therapy unit for
male and female patients; patient’s library-cum-reading room-cum-recreation
centre, recreational and cultural activities; and a large hall for yoga – pranayam
– meditation.
The state/mental health care hospital has a fundamental obligation to recognise
and protect the right of mentally ill patients to be treated with dignity and decency
without any discrimination. The hospitals need to create conditions for realisation
of the above mentioned barest minimum irreducible needs of the patients to
assure a decent and comfortable life to mentally ill inpatients. The quality norms
and standards in mental health are non-negotiable. The basic aim of this study
is to examine and evaluate the level of satisfaction of living conditions
(environment), quality of treatment of patients admitted in the hospital and
protection of their above mentioned human rights in different mental hospitals
under the following heads:
1.
Psychiatric Services, Physical Conditions and Inpatient Services
The Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Hyderabad (19th and 20th July, 2010)
All admissions in IMH were made by strict observance of the provisions of Mental
Health Act, 1987 and Rules framed thereunder. The patient admitted were 17
years and above and all decisions relating to admission and discharge were
taken by a small group of medical officers. Majority of the patients (95%) were
admitted as voluntary boarders.
Patients admitted in both open and closed wards were examined within 24 hours
of admission. All body vitals on the basis of such examination were recorded in
a separate register opened for each patient. Nursing staff duty hours were spread
over three shifts and in each shift, 2 staff nurses and 1 head nurse were posted
to each ward. They were taking two rounds in the morning, one in afternoon and
one in night and also regular supervisory rounds at short intervals. The duty
medical officers and staff nurses used to take daily round in the closed ward and
enquired about the medical condition of patients by spending adequate time with
each patient.
The cases of all mentally ill persons associated with physical ailments were
referred to Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad. Patients staying in the open
wards of the hospital were sent with their attendants and ward boys of the
hospital accompanied the patients staying in closed ward and stayed with them
in shifts during their entire stay and treatment in the General Hospital.
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National Human Rights Commission