Health minister launches state Tele MANAS Cell
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, November 14 2022:
Health minister Dr Sa-iam Ranjan Singh on Monday aunched the State Tele MANAS Mental Health Assistance & Networking Across States) Cell, at Dr Kamal Hall, RIMS, Lamphelpat, as a part of the National Tele Mental Health Programme.
The programme was attended by Dr Ranjan as chief guest and Health Services director Dr Khoirom Sasheekumar Mangang as president, while RIMS director Dr L Ranjit, NHM Manipur director Dr Somorjit Ningombam and RIMS Department of Psychiatry Prof RK Lenin were present as guests of honour.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Ranjan noted that necessity of mental health care has been gaining momentum after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stating that awareness on mental health care has become highly necessary nowadays, the minister opined that organising awareness programmes will help the public while opening of the Tele MANAS Cell will provide real help in this regard.
S Ranjan continued that digitisation of health care service will help in streamlining and improving the health care service in the state.
The fast-growing Tele Health Care service has also made it possible for patients in far-flung areas to get easy access to health check-up and treatment, he noted.
Dr Ranjan maintained that Covid-19 has affected the world socially and economically.
It has given a mental impact to the whole world.
"We need to create an atmosphere where there is no stress.
Stress may lead to people to commit suicide.
There have been many such examples earlier," he said.
Mentioning about importance of raising awareness on mental health issues, the minister pointed out that in the context of Manipur, out of 100 people only 20 people reach out to doctors to address mental health issues.
The rate of mental health diseases in Manipur remaining above national average shows that there is lack of awareness on the issue in the state.
There is high deficit in the state as there are only 30 psychiatrists available for the 30 lakh population, he conveyed, while further assuring of consulting with the Health Ministry for additional intake of psychiatrist doctors in the state to address the issue.
Officials and staff of Medical Directorate and NHM, Manipur, doctors and others also attended the function.