Strict rules for operation of drug de-addiction centers, approval of cabinet for mental health manual
The government has taken a strict stand against the de-addiction centers operating without registration in the state. The State Cabinet has approved the Mental Health Manual, after which the minimum standards for the operation of drug de-addiction centers have been set. There is also a provision for punishment for violation of which.
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that the state’s policy has been prepared on the basis of the mental health policy of the central government. Under this, mental health institutions (including de-addiction centers) will have to run the institutions as per the prescribed rules. There is a provision for periodic checking and inspection of these and punishment for violating the rules.
He informed that registration of psychiatrists, nurses, psychiatric social workers with drug de-addiction centers, mental health institutes will be mandatory. No registration fee will be charged from Psychiatrists.
Mental health institutions will have to pay registration fee:
De-addiction centers or mental health institutions operating in the state will compulsorily have to register with the Mental Health Authority. A fee will also be charged for this. There will be a fee of two thousand rupees for a temporary license of one year. After this, a fee of 20 thousand will have to be paid for permanent registration.
These rules also have to be followed:
De-addiction centers cannot keep the patient hostage in the room.
The patient will be kept and discharged in de-addiction centers on medical advice.
Fees, stay, food menu will have to be displayed in the center.
Psychiatrist, doctor will have to be kept for the treatment of patients.
The center should have open space for the patients.
These will be monitored through the Mental Health Review Board at the district level.
Mental patients will be given phone facility to talk to their relatives.
The distance from one bed to another in the rooms has also been fixed.
Constitution of review boards of 13 districts:
State Mental Health Authority and review boards of 13 districts have been constituted at seven places in the state.
Review Board at Haridwar, Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar.
Shrigar Garhwal, the center of Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag and Chamoli.
New Tehri of Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi district and Board of Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Champawat in Pithoragarh.
Jail up to 2 years for violating rules
There is a provision of fine of five to fifty thousand rupees for violation of rules of mental health institutions for the first time, two lakh rupees for the second time and five lakh rupees for repeated violation. There is a provision of fine up to Rs 25,000 on mental health professionals working in unregistered mental health institutions.
If any person contravenes the provisions of the rules or regulations made under the Act, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine of ten thousand rupees for the first time, and with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees to five lakh rupees for repeated contravention. There is a provision of fine or both.
