Uttarakhand

• 27 Jun 2023

Act will be Made for operation of De-addiction Centers

Why In News?

• On June 26, 2023, Uttarakhand Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that the state government is now preparing to bind the drug de-addiction centers within the purview of rules. In this episode, the 'Mental Health Care Act' will be implemented soon in the state. The central government has given permission for this.

Key Points:

• Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar said that after getting permission from the Central Government, the state government is engaged in finalizing its draft. It is set to be placed in the cabinet soon.
• Under the 'Mental Health Care Act', it will be mandatory for mental health centers and institutions to register with the State Mental Health Care Authority. Those violating the Act will be fined from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
• Under the 'Mental Health Care Act', it will be mandatory for mental health centers and institutions to register with the State Mental Health Care Authority. Those violating the Act will be fined from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
• In fact, questions have been raised about the operation of drug de-addiction centers in the state. Lack of proper buildings, deployment of doctors and lack of trained medical staff have also raised questions about the functioning of mental health centres.
• There have also been reports of patients not being treated properly and torturing them. Even the death of patients has been reported many times. In view of this, there is talk of bringing the operation of mental health centers in the state under the purview of the Act. In this context, the state government had sent a letter to the Central Government requesting permission to bring its own Mental Health Care Act in the state, which has been approved by the Central Government.