Hundreds of patients cured of their mental illness have been languishing in the Gwalior mental hospital (Manasik Arogyasala) due to apathy and indifference shown by their relatives, in most cases by the parents and siblings.
BM Sharma, the Divisional Commissioner and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Arogyasala, during a visit to the hospital was appalled at the situation and instructed Dr Jyoti Bindal, the Director of the hospital and the other officials to find ways to return the cured people to their homes. He also asked them to take the assistance of the District Collectors, wherever possible to facilitate the return of the cured patients.
According to hospital sources there are 45 people who are fit to return to their homes. These unlucky people are cured and fit to be discharged but no one is willing to take them back. Apart from the humanitarian angle the situation is also causing huge congestion in the hospital, leaving limited space and attention for needy patients. While in most cases the families are not willing to take back the cured patients, there are some cases where the patients were picked up from the streets and admitted in the hospital and their addresses not known.
Talking to the media persons, Dr Bindal said that the hospital currently has 211 patients, out of which 45 are totally cured and fit to be discharged. She also said that 54 patients are being treated in the Mercy Home situated at City Centre. These 54 patients are mentally retarded from birth and are being treated separately.
She further said that four doctors and other medical staff are available round the clock for their care. Dr Bindal further said that the food for the patients at the Mercy Home is being provided by the Achleshwar Nyas on a daily basis. The food is checked and brought to the Mercy Home by the staff of the Home.