SHRC seeks master plan to upgrade mental health centre

Thiruvananthapuram: The state human rights commission (SHRC) chairman Justice Antony Dominic has asked for a comprehensive master plan to address the existing inadequacies in Peroorkada Mental Health Centre.
According to the commission, funds should be allocated as per the requirements of the renovation project and a timeline should be set for its implementation at the earliest.
After his visit to the centre, the SHRC chairman handed over a list of instructions to the principal secretary of the health department.
Resuming work of the building complex, appointment of more cooks in the facility, urgent fulfilment of the posts of nursing superintendent, senior nursing officer, nursing officer and hospital attendant, and setting up a special security system are some of the primary things which the commission chairman has pointed out after his visit.
Other suggestions such as the upgradation of the centre to a mental health institute and research centre, appointment of a nodal officer to coordinate future development activities, initiation of steps to provide psychiatric treatment for inmates within jail premises, starting district-wise rehabilitation centres have also been included in the commission report.
The commission has been actively monitoring the situation in the mental health centre where it had earlier pointed out certain serious violations.
The commission had also found out inhuman treatment towards the inmates of the centre by the hospital staff.