NHRC’s visit to the Government Hospital for Mental Healthcare, Visakhapatnam

Shri S.C. Sinha, Member, National Human Rights Commission, accompanied by Shri K.H.C. Rao, Dy. S.P., visited the Government Hospital for Mental Healthcare, Waltair, Visakhapatnam on the 1st May, 2014. Established in 1863, the hospital is one of the oldest mental healthcare hospitals in India and one among the first four such hospitals in South India.
The Member inspected various facilities, including the kitchen, wards of the patients, medicine stores etc. and met with the concerned doctors and staff. During the course of discussions, some of the issues which needed attention were as follows:
1. There was problem in procuring specialised drugs due to delay in releasing the funds by the State Government. Even procuring day-to-day medicines from pharma companies became difficult.
2. The rehabilitation of the cured patients in absence of the whereabouts of their family members and correct addresses was a major issue.
3. Security of mentally ill patients was outsourced but contract was not further renewed due to non-payment of dues, as a result, patients were mostly confined to the closed wards. They were not being allowed to go out during the day time to breathe fresh air and get exposed to sun rays.
4. Sanitation facilities for the patients were being compromised as the outsourced staff was not being paid regularly.
5. Vacancies were lying unfilled due to ban on fresh recruitment without giving a reasonable thought to their essentiality.
6. Lack of residential facilities for doctors and staff needed to be addressed urgently.
7. Lack of generators to ensure un-interrupted supply of electricity.
8. Facilities for MRI and CT Scan were not available in the hospital.
The Commission has observed that the Government of Andhra Pradesh should immediately carry out an assessment of the requirement for the growth of the hospital which has the potential to be developed further, and should take steps in a time-bound manner so that this reputed hospital attained its full potential.