NHRC intends to formulate a long-term plan for the efficient working of the mental institutions in the country; Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra to inspect & review conditions of the Gwalior Mansik Arogyashala and to hold a sensitization workshop...

NHRC intends to formulate a long-term plan for the efficient working of the mental institutions in the country; Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra to inspect & review conditions of the Gwalior Mansik Arogyashala and to hold a sensitization workshop about various challenges relating to mental health

New Delhi, 11th July, 2022

A National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India delegation, led by its Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra, has scheduled a visit to the Gwalior Mansik Arogyashala, Madhya Pradesh, on 12th July 2022, to inspect and have firsthand knowledge of the present conditions of the Arogyashala. The Commission also intends to formulate a long-term plan for the efficient working of the Mansik Arogyashala. The visit will be followed by a workshop to sensitize all the stakeholders about various challenges relating to mental health on 13th July 2022, at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the Order dated 11th November 1997, in response to a PIL, had directed the District Judge to continue the monitoring of the Mental Hospitals in Gwalior, Agra & Ranchi, and give necessary directions from time to time by sending periodic reports to the NHRC, with a copy to the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Accordingly, the NHRC Chairperson requested the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court to advise the District Judges of Gwalior to monitor the functioning of the mental hospitals and to send quarterly reports to the NHRC with a copy to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. A similar D.O letter from the NHRC Joint Secretary to the District Judge of Gwalior was issued, wherein the report for the quarter ending 31st March 2022 was requested to be submitted to the Commission latest by 20th April 2022.

An inspection report received from the District Judge, Gwalior in this regard highlighted shortcomings and difficulties in the functioning of the hospital, including lack of funds, shortage of staff, poor infrastructure, poor accommodation, difficulty in locating the family members of cured patients, and difficulty in repatriation.

The delegation will also consist of NHRC Members, Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar and Mr. Rajiv Jain, Secretary General, Mr. Devendra Kumar Singh, and Joint Secretary, Mr. Harish Chandra Chaudhary.

The sensitization workshop, on day two, will include participation, among others, by Mr. Mohammed Suleman, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health Education; Mr. Prateek Hajela, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Welfare and Disabled Welfare Department, Govt. of MP; Prof. (Dr.) Atul Goel, Director General, Health Services, Govt. of India; Prof. (Dr.) Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS; Divisional Commissioner, Gwalior; Principal District Judge, Gwalior and Director, Gwalior Mansik Arogyashala.

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