National health policy
National Health Policy was first
formulated in 1983 and revised in 2002.
Objectives
·
To achieve an acceptable standard of good health
in India.
·
Increase access to decentralized public health
system by establishing new infrastructure in deficient areas and by upgrading
the infrastructure in the existing institutions.
Specific recommendations with
regard to mental health
·
Upgrading infrastructure of institutions at
central government expense so as to secure the human rights of this vulnerable
segment of society.
·
Envisages a network of decentralized mental
health services for ameliorating the more common categories of disorders.
Specific discussion regarding
mental health
·
Mental health disorders are actually much more
prevalent than is apparent on the surface, while such disorders do not
contribute significantly to mortality; they have a serious bearing on the
quality of life of the affected persons and their families.
·
Sometimes, based on religious faith, mental
disorders are treated as spiritual affliction. This has led to the
establishment of unlicensed mental institutions as an adjunct to religious
institutions whereas reliance is placed on faith cure.
·
Serious conditions of mental disorders require
hospitalization and treatment under trained supervision.
·
Mental health institutions are woefully
deficient in physical infrastructure and trained rnanpower. NHP-2002 will
address itself to these deficiencies in the public health sector.
COMMENTS