KOCHI: Expressing concern over the non-availability of essential medicines in the Mental Health Centres (MHC) in the state, the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the state to ensure availability of all requisite medicines in the three Mental Health Centres of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur.
Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan also directed the state to file a report explaining the status of upgradation of status.
“The mentally ill persons are a most hapless group, vulnerable and living in the pinnacle of socio-economic challenges beyond the physical and mental disabilities that they suffer. The management of the mentally ill requires prompt medical attention since it is settled science, as can be seen from various reports available in the jurisdiction that non-availability of medicines for routine treatment in such hospitals would have a startling effect on the management of such patients,” the court observed.
The court stated that the report from the three Mental Health Centres show that there was acute shortage of medicines and in spite of repeated requests made by the hospital authorities, there was no regular supply of medicines, including essential ones.
“As of now, the most essential medicines have to be purchased without government assistance. The situation is alarming and the shortage reflected in the reports countenanced,” the court observed.
The court posted the hearing of the case to Friday.