NHRC issues notice to the Government of West Bengal over reported deplorable and pathetic condition of patients in Berhampore Mental Hospital (18.08.2016)
PRESS RELEASE
18th August, 2016,New Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that in West Bengal, a team of an NGO Anjali, visited the government run Berhampore Mental Hospital on the Independence Day and found naked men and women, all mentally ill patients, lying on dirty floors in a very bad condition. They had not bathed or shaved for months, having visible signs of various diseases. The toilets were so filthy that nobody could use them. The bed sheets were full of bugs. Reportedly, the Hospital Superintendent refused to make any comments on it when approached by the team. The Chief Medical Officer also denied the calls made by the NGO.
The Commission, reiterating its commitment towards the promotion and protection of rights of mentally ill persons, has observed that the contents of the news report are distressing. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal calling for a detailed report about the state of affairs in Behrampur Mental Hospital along with the status of other mental hospitals run by the State Government. It has also asked its Special Rapporteur, East Zone, Mr. Domodar Sarangi, to assess the situation on the ground and submit a report to the Commission. The State Government as well as the Special Rapporteur have been given eight weeks to respond.
The Commission, while issuing the notice to the State Government, has also observed that a state-run Mental Hospital is bound to take care of the patients who are staying there. Mentally ill persons are also entitled to the same inalienable rights as are available to other human beings. They are entitled to be treated with dignity, decency and equality and cannot be discriminated against. There is an ardent need to educate and change the attitude of the public authorities towards the persons suffering from mental illness.
According to the media report, carried on the 17th August,2016, there are about 430 patients, including men and women, staying in the hospital at present. There is no facility of laundry. There is no barber and the bathrooms are in such a bad condition that the patients often fall on the ground and hurt themselves.
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18th August, 2016,New Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that in West Bengal, a team of an NGO Anjali, visited the government run Berhampore Mental Hospital on the Independence Day and found naked men and women, all mentally ill patients, lying on dirty floors in a very bad condition. They had not bathed or shaved for months, having visible signs of various diseases. The toilets were so filthy that nobody could use them. The bed sheets were full of bugs. Reportedly, the Hospital Superintendent refused to make any comments on it when approached by the team. The Chief Medical Officer also denied the calls made by the NGO.
The Commission, reiterating its commitment towards the promotion and protection of rights of mentally ill persons, has observed that the contents of the news report are distressing. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal calling for a detailed report about the state of affairs in Behrampur Mental Hospital along with the status of other mental hospitals run by the State Government. It has also asked its Special Rapporteur, East Zone, Mr. Domodar Sarangi, to assess the situation on the ground and submit a report to the Commission. The State Government as well as the Special Rapporteur have been given eight weeks to respond.
The Commission, while issuing the notice to the State Government, has also observed that a state-run Mental Hospital is bound to take care of the patients who are staying there. Mentally ill persons are also entitled to the same inalienable rights as are available to other human beings. They are entitled to be treated with dignity, decency and equality and cannot be discriminated against. There is an ardent need to educate and change the attitude of the public authorities towards the persons suffering from mental illness.
According to the media report, carried on the 17th August,2016, there are about 430 patients, including men and women, staying in the hospital at present. There is no facility of laundry. There is no barber and the bathrooms are in such a bad condition that the patients often fall on the ground and hurt themselves.
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