The Institute of Mental Health, Hyderabad had total sanctioned bed strength of
600 with bed occupancy rate of 45 to 49%. It had different types of wards
including family wards, open wards, closed wards, criminal ward, de-addiction
ward and a separate acute admission ward. These wards were well lighted and
ventilated and had adequate space between two beds. The toilet patient ratio was
1:6 in open wards and 1:8 in closed wards as against 1:5 recommended by Prof.
Channabasavanna Committee.
IMH needs to construct more toilets in both the wards to comply with recommended
toilet patient ration of 1:5 by Prof. Channabasavanna Committee.
All patients had been provided with cots, mattress, pillow and bed linens. The
patients in the open/family wards were permitted to wear clothing of their choice.
The Family members/attendants of the patients had been provided with low
height steel cots with storage facility. These cots were donated by the organizing
Committee of the IPS South Zone Annual Conference.
All wards were cleaned every day. Cleaning of toilets in open wards had been
outsourced to an Agency and the sanitation and personal hygiene in closed ward
was maintained by the hospital staff. There was adequate number of sweepers
to clean the wards. The bed linens were changed twice a week.
The patients were getting discharged after recovery within a short span of time
due to advancement in Psychotic and Neurotic drugs The average duration of
stay for patients was 2 to 3 weeks. However, female patients were not welcomed
back in the fold of the family even after they had recovered and fully fit for
discharged. There were 21 female patients who were fit for discharge but nobody
turned up to take them home. The absence of psychiatric social workers was a
major handicap in organizing home visits, establishing contact with family
members and effective follow up of rehabilitation and reintegration of female
patients into the family setup. There were 22 deaths during a period between
2005 and 2010. Most of the deaths were natural except one which was a case
of suicide by hanging.
Government Hospital for Mental Care (GHMC), Vishakhapatnam (30th and
31st March, 2009)
Majority of the admissions were voluntary and only 5 per cent were through court
orders. The three levels involved in the process of admission were Junior and
Senior Psychiatrist and the final decision was taken by Chief Psychiatrist.
Patients were normally admitted directly to the wards whereas homicidal or
violent patients were kept in single rooms with attached bathrooms and other
facilities for 1 to 2 days till their aggression was controlled.
The Nursing Superintendent had been taking morning rounds of all wards from
10.30 a.m. onwards to enquire about the overall status of health and wellbeing
of all inmates. She thoroughly checked the case records and was paying special
attention to the cleanliness and enquired about the quality of food.
Care and Treatment in Mental Health Institutions– Some Glimpses in the Recent Period
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