The Mental Healthcare Act (MHA) was introduced in India in 2017. But before 2017
Act, the 1987 Mental Healthcare Act (MHA) existed, which prioritized the
institutionalization of mentally ill people and gave no rights to the patient.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had raised a concern over the
deplorable condition of many Mental Health Institutions (MHI) in violating MHA 2017.
The concern of NHRC was that MHIs were illegally keeping patients for a long time
after recovery, which not only violated Article 21 but also highlights the failure of the
governments to discharge the obligation under various international covenants relating to
rights of the person with disabilities which have been ratified by India.
Autism and mental retardation treatment charges are not covered under MHA 2017
instead, they have a separate Act titled the Person With Disability Act (PWD), 2016.
Dr. Sunil, Clinical Psychologist, at Cadabams Hospital, said, “ In case of implementation of
insurance, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAi) has made
and regulations, but still no guidelines have been released as to how much amount is
covered and which illness it covers and which illness it does not cover.”
He also said that after the MHA of 2017, it has been mentioned that, there is insurance
for people with physical health issues similarly people with mental health issues also
should be in power with them and should provide insurance.
“If a disease like schizophrenia relapses again and the patient gets admitted, whether the
relapse treatment is covered or not is not clear. But at the moment there is insurance and
insurance companies are clearing,” said Dr. Sunil.
During the time of the Covid lockdown people were isolated at homes and hospitals due to
which there was a surge in especially two types of cases: depression and anxiety. People
who were addicted to alcohol and drugs did not have access to buy alcohol and drugs
during the lockdown and had a lot of issues like withdrawal problems.
Some people who were affected by Covid- 19 are predisposed as their levels of anxiety
and depression compared to the normal population are higher. Still, no one knows if it was
Covid that affected them or the environment around them.
In Cadabams Hospital, on a normal day, doctors treat approximately 120 - 150 patients.
But during the Covid time, people with anxiety and depression were the majority.
Dr. Sunil said that families go through a lot of problems and one of them is financial
issues. These mental health issues do not get cured within one month but instead, it needs
years to get cured. There are not enough government institutions or institutions where
people in the middle class or lower middle class can afford to take treatment. When
insurance is there at least some part of the treatment amount will be covered.
The Karnataka government is soon going to begin screening pregnant women as part
of antenatal checkups. The State Health Department has included mental health questions
in the Thayi card for recording health status.
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