The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : IMH to conduct weekly medical camps in six zones

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 04, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

IMH to conduct weekly medical camps in six zones

Special Correspondent

A similar exercise will be conducted in 16 other districts, according to Consultant Psychiatrist
Institute not to renew its memorandum with non-governmental organisation The Banyan

CHENNAI: From the third week of this month, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) will conduct weekly programmes at Corporation dispensaries in six zones in the city.

“Mental health professionals, including a doctor and a few nurses will go to the dispensaries, distribute medicines and treat the patients,” said S. Nambi, Consultant Psychiatrist at the IMH.

The programme, for which the State Government has allocated Rs.80 lakh this year, will be carried on for four years. A similar exercise will be conducted in 16 other districts, he told media persons here on Saturday.

The Institute will not renew its memorandum with non-governmental organisation The Banyan.

The Indian Psychiatric Society at its annual conference to be held from January 8 will discuss the complaints made by The Banyan against IMH, Dr.Nambi said.

The hospital will receive Rs.30 crore under the XI Five Year Plan to upgrade its facilities and make it a regional mental healthcare centre, said R.Sathianathan, the IMH Director.

The hospital had filled up 114 vacancies for patient attendants but there was need for more social workers.

Saradha Menon, who was the Superintendent of the Institute from 1961 to 1978, said the treatment of patients at the IMH was in accordance with the procedures listed in the Mental Health Act, 1987.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu