The new challenge
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 13, 2012 -

There may be various contributing factors like the endless cycle of violence, volatile law and order situation, unemployment and poverty and that sense of helplessness among the people that have led to an increase in number of psychiatric cases in the state.

But whether we are ready to face this new challenge in the existing health care system, which could be best described as 'crumbling' remains a big question.

With exception to RIMS and JNIMS, other government hospitals including primary health centres are yet to be equipped to deal with the problem at hand.

Considering the importance of improving the mental health condition of the people, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched a mental health awareness programme in 1996.

However, the same was introduced only in 2000 in Manipur. Since the programme was for a five-year period, it concluded in 2005 for the state.

However, keeping in view of the need for continuation of the programme, the State Government did re-launch the programme under the aegis of Manipur Mental Health Authority in 2010 in three districts namely Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal districts.

But even after 12 years down the line, lack of required infrastructure and manpower continues to haunt, compounding the problem.

So, along with implementation of the recent assurance given by Minister of Health and Family Welfare Phungzathang Tonsing for setting up a 50-bedded Mental Health Care and Service Hospital at JNIMS with funding from North Eastern Council at the earliest, the State Government should take up necessary measures to address the issues related to mental disorder on priority basis before it goes out of hand.

Though we may not like to admit, but it's a truth we would not be able to run away from any longer.

Yes, we are talking about the rising cases of mental illness in the trouble-torn Northeast region including Manipur. According to a survey report titled 'Violence Against Women in Northeast India : An Enquiry Report ' by the North-East Network of National Commission for Women, Delhi, 10% of the total population in the region suffers from mental illness, and out of this 1% are very severe cases.

Earlier, a study conducted during the ethnic conflict in Manipur from November 1997 to April 1998 showed that 70 per cent of the people under study were affected with anxiety disorder, 48 per cent with post-traumatic stress disorder, 44 per cent with depression and 20 per cent with psychosomatic disorders.

Moreover, according to a latest report, around 60 to 120 patients who come for medical examination at the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Lamphelpat are related to cases of psychiatric disorders, and a similar number of patients visit the Psychiatric Department of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) at Porompat daily.

All these reports clearly indicate rising cases of mental illness taking an alarming proportion in Manipur.