Since then, within the final 108 years, the state’s makes an attempt to ramp up psychological well being establishments failed repeatedly.

However, the general public well being division lastly acquired the approval final week to arrange the high-tech superior psychological well being hospital in Shirol which is 7 kms away from Sangli district and 30 kms from Kolhapur principal metropolis.

“Some patients who suffer from psychosis, bipolar mood disorder or have suicidal tendencies require admissions and special care by experts. And the process of recovery takes days, so we are trying to increase the number of hospitals for a more holistic approach,” mentioned Dr Swapnil Lale, Additional Director of Health Service, Maharashtra.

To present state-of-art therapy for sufferers, the state well being division desires to make this new hospital at par with Bangalore’s NIMHANS—a world-renowned authorities establishment for psychological well being and neurosciences

“This will be the first-of-its kind such advanced mental health hospital in Maharashtra. It is our dream project,” mentioned Dr Lale.

The hospital will carry out psychosurgeries that are utilized in uncommon instances to deal with extreme psychological well being issues. This will assist to deal with sufferers affected by vascular, epilepsy, peripheral nerves amongst others.

Explaining about it, Dr Lale mentioned, “These surgeries are new treatment avenues which consist of stereotactic operations on the brain aimed at altering abnormal physiology. It is widely used to alleviate symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients who do not respond to therapy.”

Neurosurgeons will probably be appointed for such procedures. At current, not one of the state government-run regional hospitals has such amenities.

The division additionally desires to arrange laboratories like Molecular Genetics Laboratory which may also help in molecular diagnostics initiatives in neuropsychiatric problems. The working rooms have most fashionable surgical gear like intraoperative CT, intraoperative ultrasound and others.

With the approval, the general public well being division will now submit the venture for monetary approval.
The state with over 12 crore estimated inhabitants, data over 2.2 lakh footfall of sufferers yearly in OPD for psychological well being therapy. While, on a median, 13,000 sufferers who with extreme psychological well being illnesses require admission, as per the info shared by the general public well being division.

“Incidences of mental health are increasing globally. The Covid-19 pandemic further aggravated the situation,” mentioned Dr Lale.

The current 6,000 government-run hospital beds aren’t sufficient to supply high quality well being care. Also, these hospitals even have a big burden of deserted sufferers, some requiring keep for over 20 years.

As The Indian Express reported final yr, between January 2016 and September 2021, a complete of 5,877 sufferers with psychological illnesses have been deserted by their relations within the 4 regional psychological hospitals.

Nagpur with 3,829 such sufferers accounted for practically 60 % of those deserted sufferers adopted by Ratnagiri (1,674), Pune (361) and Thane (13). “The Nagpur Division is in the central region of India, so we get patients from other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, among others,” mentioned a health care provider from Nagpur regional psychological well being hospital that yearly data over 1,400 admissions.

For years, public-health coverage makers and docs have been elevating the necessity for extra regional psychological well being hospitals particularly in Vidarbha and Marathwada areas which have the best incidences of psychological well being points.

“These are the regions that record highest farmer suicides. Also, incidences of depression and anxiety along with addiction issues are quite prevalent,” mentioned Dr Harish Shetty, a psychiatrist who additionally works for rights for psychological well being.