National Tele Mental Health Programme launched to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country

- Vinod Kumar 

NIMHANS provided psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform

The “Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic” study, published has estimated an increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression in India during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According a government press release, realizing the impact that COVID-19 may have on the mental health of the people, the Government has taken a number of initiatives, including -

Setting up of a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.

Issuance of guidelines/ advisories on management of mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society.

Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all.

Issuance and dissemination of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru- "Mental Health in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".

All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website under “Behavioural Health – Psychosocial helpline”

Online capacity building of health workers by NIMHANS in providing psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform.

Further, for providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities to the population, including the poor and underprivileged, the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country.  

The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 716 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission.  Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc.

In addition to the above, the Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care under Ayushman Bharat – HWC Scheme. Operational guidelines on Mental, Neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) at Health and Wellness Centres (HWC) have been released under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.

Besides the above, the Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 09.03.2023, 25 States/ UTs have set up 36 Tele MANAS Cells and have started mental health services. 63806 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

Under District Mental Health Programme, fund of Rs. 159.75 Crore have been approved for States/UTs under National Health Mission for the year 2022-23. Under the Tertiary care component of National Mental Health Programme, 25 Centres of Excellence and 47 PG Departments have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. For this scheme Rs. 35 Crore have been allocated for the year 2022-23.

Funds allocated for the year 2022-23 to 03 (three) Mental Health Institutions, namely, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi, under the administrative control of the Central Government are as under.

Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrated with the theme “Jan Aushadhi - Sasti Bhi, Achchi Bhi” across the country

- Vinod Kumar 

 

• More than 34 Pratigya Yatras conducted across country; Out of which 8 Yatras led by Members of Parliament on day one across the country
• More than 5,000 citizens including Doctors took pledge to use generic medicines on MyGov platform
• Programme steps into the second day of celebration by Jan Aushadhi Pratigya Yatra on 2nd March across the country

New Delhi. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in collaboration with Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of PMBJP and States and Union Territories is celebrating 5th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2023 under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). The celebrations are being carried out with great enthusiasm and fervour across the country. The programme kick started with Jan Aushadhi Jan Chetna Abhiyan on 1st March across the country.

The second day of the celebration stands as Jan Aushadhi Pratigya Yatra. Many such Pad Yatras carried out with the message of quality and affordable medicines. These medicines are available at more than 9000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, which have already taken place in major cities of the country.

Pad yatras were conducted to create a mass fervor among people. These pad yatras were attended by Jan Aushadhi Kendras, citizens, school children, etc. wearing the Jan Aushadhi T-shirts and Caps. In some states, the pad yatras are celebrated with traditional instruments like drum.  The aim of such pad yatras is to ensure dissemination of knowledge about the PMBJP scheme to make easy accessibility of Jan Aushadhi generic medicines.

The Government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by the end of December 2023.

Medicines available under PMBJP are priced 50%-90% less than that of branded prices. During the financial year (2021-22), PMBJP has achieved sales of more than Rs. 1100 Crore in the current financial year which has further led to savings of approximately Rs. 6600 Cr. to the citizens.

Weeklong celebrations are scheduled by conducting various awareness programme for women, senior citizens, children and for engagement of more than 9000 Kendras, Stakeholders, Jan Aushadhi Mitras, doctors, and general public.