311 key posts in mental hospitals not filled : Pune

Several posts of mental health professionals are vacant at the four regional mental hospitals in the state, says the latest report of the state health department.

The shortage of psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists and other skilled staff is hampering patient care. This at a time when a significant proportion of state's population has recognisable mental disorders in the form of depression, anxiety, somatoform disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, alcohol and drug abuse.

"Total 311 posts, including key positions of psychiatrist, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, medical officers, attendants etc have been vacant for over a year now," said a state health official. A recent report of the state health department says there are total 2,195 sanctioned posts for all the four state-run regional hospitals. Of them, only 1,884 posts are occupied.

"It's not just the skilled manpower that is in demand. Even the key post of a superintendent has been vacant at the regional mental hospitals at Pune and Ratnagiri," said a state official.

Vilas Bhailume, acting superintendent at regional mental hospital, Pune, also known as Yerawada mental hospital, confirmed the finding. "The post of the superintendent here has been lying vacant since April last year. Recently, the deputy superintendent's post also fell vacant. Now, I hold the additional charge of both these posts." Besides, posts of clinical psychologists, positions of class I psychiatrist, administrative officer, medical record officer, metron, assistant metron are also vacant at the regional mental hospital in Pune.

"Total 12 out of the 32 posts of psychiatric nurses, two of occupational therapists and six of the 120 posts of staff nurses and the two posts of supervisors are vacant," Bhailume said. Besides, positions of senior and junior clerks, four posts of incharge attendants, cooks, barbers and drivers are also unoccupied.

With so many positions unoccupied, the management at the hospital in Pune has turned out to be quite a task. An official said, "We have to manage. What else one can do? Since our staff nurses have been treating patients with all sorts of mental illness for years, they double up as psychiatric nurses. Similarly, other jobs are taken care of with whatever resources we have. This has burdened the existing staff and hampered their performance in their areas of expertise."

Rajendra Shirsath, deputy superintendent at regional mental hospital in Ratnagiri, said, "The post of superintendent here has been unoccupied since 2005-06. Currently, I have been given the additional charge. Besides, posts of clinical psychologist and matron have not been filled. We also need a dietician. A nurse is assigned the work of taking care of patients' diet. We have to manage things and see that overall quality of work is satisfactory, to say the least. But since everyone has two or three additional charges, an individual's area of expertise definitely suffers."

The regional mental hospital in Nagpur, which has a bed strength of 940, has 71 posts vacant. "Most of the posts that are not filled pertains to staff nurses and class IV employees," said Abhay Gajbhiye, superintendent of regional mental hospital, Nagpur.

A state health official said, "Earlier, the director of state public health department had the powers to recruit all the staff needed at regional mental health hospital. Recently, certain powers have been delegated to deputy director. As officials are overburdened even at directorate level, certain issues like recruitment that requires a few permissions from higher level get sidelined."

State health minister Suresh Shetty said, "We have initiated the process to recruit people. All posts will soon be filled. Besides, the state government has decided to strengthen mental health services across the state. We have already shortlised areas that need more attention." 


Source : TOI , Pune ( 4th March 2013 )