Date:07/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/07/stories/2008100753260300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Special ward for patients with mental illness

Staff Reporter

NAMAKKAL: Namakkal Government Hospital will soon have a special ward to treat people suffering from mental illness.

The special ward will be established with 10 beds initially under a mental health programme, officials said during the inauguration of a special camp for persons suffering from psychological disorders here on Friday.

The camp was organised by the Namakkal district administration in association with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.

Collector U. Sagayam, presiding over the camp, said that the Government had sanctioned funds for the appointment of an assistant surgeon, clinical psychologist, nurses and paramedical staff to the hospital for the mental health unit.

Apart from treating patients at the hospital, doctors and staff members would offer mental health care at government hospitals and primary health centres in various parts of the district.

The unit would ensure better mental health care to the people in the district, he added.

Treatment

NIMHANS Director/Vice-Chancellor D. Nagaraja, participating in the camp, pointed out that a significant number of persons suffering from various psychological disorders were not able to get proper treatment. The establishment of district level units was important to ensure better mental health care. He assured that NIMHANS would extend necessary guidance to the district level hospitals for providing mental health care.

Specialists from NIMHANS treated about 140 persons during the special camp. Deputy Director of Health Dr. Sekar, Hospital Superintendent P. Ilango, Resident Medical Officer R.P. Ilango, Professor Ranganathan,

Dr. Ramasubramaniam and senior officials were present.