Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has taken decisive steps to get the state out of the grip of drug abuse and improve mental health services. The government has decided to activate Mental Health Review Boards in all the districts of the state, as well as a statewide inspection campaign has been started at de-addiction and rehabilitation centers. Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, a concrete policy and strict implementation has been started to improve mental health and de-addiction services. This campaign is a meaningful effort towards a healthy, safe and drug-free environment in the state. On the guidelines of the Chief Minister, this campaign is being conducted under the provisions of the Mental Health Care Act-2017 and the notification of 24 July 2023. The objective of the campaign is to strengthen mental health services and ensure transparency and quality of de-addiction centers. Joint responsibility of administration and health department
Health Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar while giving information said that on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, an intensive inspection campaign of de-addiction and rehabilitation centers has started across the state. All the District Magistrates have been directed to ensure regular inspection of the status, registration and facilities of the centers operating in their districts. District level teams have been formed for this. The centers which do not meet the prescribed standards will be identified and action will be taken for financial penalty and immediate closure. The government has made it clear that now there will be no compromise on quality. The Health Secretary has made it clear that no negligence or laxity will be accepted in this matter. Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar has directed the State Mental Health Authority to keep a close watch on all the de-addiction centers operating across the state and conduct continuous inspections. After his instructions, district level inspection teams have become active across the state. During the inspection, points like registration status of these institutions, fulfillment of standards, facilities, availability of staff and quality of treatment of patients are being thoroughly investigated. All such centers which do not meet the prescribed standards or are functioning without valid registration will be identified and action for financial penalty and immediate closure will be taken.
133 institutions on provisional registration, final verification mandatory
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that currently 133 mental health institutions (which include de-addiction centers) are provisionally registered in the state. Before final registration, site inspection and document verification of all these has been made mandatory. The institutions registered under the Clinical Establishments Act-2010 will also have to give an undertaking under the Mental Health Act-2017, so that they ensure compliance with the required minimum standards.
Monthly meeting of the board mandatory in every district
Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that the review board in every district will have to hold at least one meeting every month, so that the process of inspection and monitoring continues. At present, boards are functioning in 7 districts, while the formation process is in progress in 6 other districts. The government has directed that the formation of these boards should be completed soon.
Only eligible institutions are allowed
Health Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar said that the State Mental Health Authority is ensuring that de-addiction centres operating without valid registration are identified and financial penalty, legal action and immediate closure proceedings are taken against them. In future, only those institutions will be able to remain operational which fully fulfil the minimum medical, administrative and social standards.
Surprise inspection in Dehradun, irregularities exposed
Health Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar said that in this sequence, on receiving a public complaint in Dehradun district, a surprise inspection was conducted of a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre operating at Bahadurpur Road, Ward No. 9, Selaqui. A joint team of the administration and health department reached the spot and took stock of the serious irregularities and shortcomings prevailing in the centre. The inspection team found that many standards were not met in the centre. The team has prepared a report and sent it to the concerned officials for further action. This action reflects the government’s policy in which there will be no compromise on the quality of service. Surprise inspection of de-addiction centre in Haridwar
The joint team of health department and administration in district Haridwar conducted a surprise inspection of Jeevan Jyoti de-addiction centre and reviewed the arrangements. During the inspection, the status of de-addiction centres, registration and fulfilment of standards are being checked. These teams are thoroughly checking each de-addiction centre and the institutes which do not fulfil the prescribed standards or are functioning without registration will be identified and will be fined and closed immediately. As per the Mental Health Care Act, only those institutes should be allowed to function which fulfil the minimum standards.
