Fit patients languish in mental hospitals

It has been seven years since 40-year-old Samir Dutta was brought to Calcutta Pavlov Hospital (CPH) for treatment. Even though the patient from Belghoria is fit to be discharged, he has no takers. His siblings are not ready to take him back.

Dutta is not alone. Joydeb Natua, 38, of Joynagar in South 24-Parganas, is counting days to go back home. He was left behind by his wife and elder brother for treatment at CPH four years ago. Though doctors feel Natua can return home, his family is unwilling.

Samir Dutta (40) was brought to Calcutta Pavlov Hospital (CPH) seven years ago for treatment. Even as the patient from Belghoria is fit to be discharged, none of his siblings want him back. Joydeb Natua (38) of Joynagar, South 24 Parganas, was left in the same hospital by wife and elder brother about four years ago. Doctors said that Natua can go back home. But his family is not ready to take him back.

With families of patients who were suffering from mental ailments refusing to accept them despite being fit, the state-run mental hospitals have become their only refuge. This has led to hospitals like Calcutta Pavlov being overcrowded. CPH is a 250-bed hospital. But at present 392 patients occupy space there, out of which 150 are fit to be discharged.

"Each time my husband comes to meet me, he promises to take me home. I do not know what is stopping him from doing so. I am fine now and it agonises me to live with other patients in the hospital," said Baby Debkota.

The 30-year-old homemaker from Akra was suffering from maniac depressive psychosis when she was brought to CPH. Such was her condition that she cannot even recollect the circumstances under which she was brought to CPH.

Treatment for over a year has improved her condition remarkably.

"Staying among other ill patients can take a toll on the mental conditions of these recovered patients whereas love and support from near and dear ones could have added to their recovery. Unfortunately, their own people do not want them back due to stigma, indifference, lack of awareness or fear of relapse," said a doctor at CPH.

Lumbhini Park Mental Hospital (LPMH) has also has similar patients who are unwanted by their family. Manju Mukherjee, above 60, was brought to the hospital 30 years ago. Though her family members drop in every Saturday with home-cooked food for the senior citizen, they have shown no interest in taking her out of the hospital.

"Patients like Manju Mukherjee do not need further hospital stay. I have requested her family to take her home but to no avail. We cannot force them to do so," said LPMH superintendent Jayanta Maitra.

A survey conducted by the health department revealed 32% patients were cured and could be discharged. But hospital authorities are scared to discharge patients, particularly women, who are not accepted by their family, since their safety is at stake.

Health officials also found that over 60% patients were admitted by their families to get rid of the stigma and burden. While people who are fit may suffer relapses for staying among ill patients, their occupying hospital space has prevented new admissions.

Because of the long stay among patients who are ill, many people suffer relapses triggered by frustration.

Overcrowding of the hospitals also leads to beds being blocked. New patients cannot be admitted as a result.

"We would like to address this problem and we are working on it," said health secretary Satish Chandra Tewary.

Vocational courses for the cured and setting up homes to shift fit patients are part of the plan to streamline the mental health care system.

Status of patients in five state run mental hospitals in West Bengal

Hospital Number of patients fit to be discharged

1.CPH 150

2. LPMH30

3. Berhampore Mental Hospital 48

4. Purulia Mental Hospital 28

5. Institute of Psychiatry Kolkata1                                                                                                                                 


Source : TOI , Kolkata ( 17th Feb 2013 )