Dehradun: Rules and laws are strict for de-addiction centers and mental health institutions operating in the state. But the system does not have time to implement the rules. Despite strict rules, incidents are not stopping in de-addiction centers. There are 116 registered de-addiction centers across the state. Out of these, 84 centers are running in Dehradun district alone.
To provide better treatment facilities to mental patients in de-addiction centers, the state government approved the implementation of mental health rules for the first time in July 2023. Earlier, there was no control over the de-addiction centers operating in the state.
Registration for these centers was made mandatory in the rules. Apart from this, there is a provision for registration of mental health experts providing services in the center. Mental Health Authority was constituted at the state and district level to implement the rules and monitor the de-addiction centers. But, whether the de-addiction centers are following the rules or not. For this, inspection is not being done for many months.
Two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh
The Mental Health Manual has strict rules for running de-addiction centres. A fine of Rs 5 to 50 thousand will be imposed for violating the rules for the first time, Rs 2 lakh for the second time and Rs 5 lakh for repeated violations. A provision of a fine of up to Rs 25 thousand has been made on employees working in unregistered de-addiction centres. If a person violates the rules, then in such a situation, there is a provision of six months imprisonment or a fine of Rs 10 thousand for the first time, two years imprisonment or a fine of Rs 50 thousand to Rs 5 lakh for repeated violations.
These are also the rules
De-addiction centres cannot keep a mentally ill hostage in a room. The patient will be kept and discharged in the de-addiction centres only on the advice of the doctor. Apart from this, de-addiction centres will have to display the fees, accommodation and food menu. A doctor and a psychiatrist will have to be appointed for the treatment of patients. The mentally ill will be given a phone facility to talk to the family members. Apart from this, the distance between one bed and another in the rooms has also been determined.
There is a provision of fine and punishment in the Mental Health Rules to facilitate better treatment of mental patients in de-addiction centers. Mental Health Authority has been constituted at the district level. Through which the centers are registered as well as the rules are followed. – Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, Health Secretary
84 de-addiction centers are registered in Dehradun district. De-addiction centers are inspected from time to time. The authority has representatives of different departments and NGOs. Many times all the members are not available for inspection. De-addiction centers will be inspected soon. Strict action will be taken if the rules are violated. – Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, CMO
