HC opined that the change in name would catalyse the transformation of the centres in the manner envisaged by the court
Kochi : The high court on Thursday urged the state govt to immediately rectify the lack of adequate personnel and proper security along the perimeters of the three govt mental health centres in Keralam , observing that these shortcomings forced medical officers and nurses to keep patients in confined areas.
The advocate general sought a week to look into the issues pointed out by the court, and accordingly, the bench adjourned the petition to Sept 15. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. A bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji made the remarks while considering a petition concerning the conditions at mental health centres. During the hearing, advocate general K Jaju Babu informed the court that the state govt had decided to rename the mental health centres as ‘Happiness and Wellness Centres’ pursuant to a previous directive of the court. The bench welcomed the decision and opined that the change in name would catalyse the transformation of the centres in the manner envisaged by the court. Recording the submissions, the bench pointed out the needs that had to be immediately addressed, including the appointment of sufficient numbers of attenders, cooks, dhobis and security personnel at all the centres; the construction of compound walls to secure their perimeters; the uninterrupted availability of necessary medicines for both mental and physical health, as requisitioned by the superintendents and doctors; and the availability of at least one or two vehicles, preferably electric vehicles, at the centres for transporting food from the kitchens and for other ancillary purposes. Download the TOI App.
Previously, Sathyasree Priya, amicus curiae in the case, had filed an interlocutory application (IA) contending that the term ‘Mental Health Centres’ carried considerable stigma and suggested renaming them ‘Institutes of Behavioural Management’ or something similar. On Thursday, while appearing in the matter at the request of the court, the advocate general further submitted that the govt would ensure that the three govt mental health centres — at Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode — were made fit for human habitation and treatment within the shortest possible period, notwithstanding the lack of resources.