From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Oct 10: Every Tuesday will henceforth be observed as ``Super Tuesday” in Karnataka.
With the launch of the concept of Super Tuesday on all Tuesdays in every week, medical treatment will be guaranteed to mentally challenged persons in taluk hospitals, community health and primary health centres (PHCs) across the State.
The State Government haslaunched two major programmes - "Manochaitanya" and Manasadhara" - to provide free treatment, counselling and medicines free of cost to people suffering from mental disabilities and their rehabilitation.
The World Mental Health Day is being observed on Friday, October 10.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Tuesday has been set aside for providing treatment, counselling and medicines for people with mental disabilities in taluk hospitals, CHCs and PHCs.
All psychiatrics of district hospitals must visit taluk hospitals and community and primary health centres on that day and offer treatment and drugs to people suffering from mental disabilities.
Resident doctors, post-graduate students and teaching and non-staff of medical colleges would also participate in the programme.
Doctors of respective hospital or health centres would be held responsible in the case of dereliction of duties or non-availability of medicines, he warned.
The Chief Minister said one to two per cent of the people in the society were suffering from mental disabilities.
``The Government is ready to spend any amount of money for providing treatment and rehabilitation of people recovered from mental disabilities."
Siddaramaiah also instructed hospitals to utilise the services of doctors of private hospitals and clinics.
Based on a request of noted psychiatric and Karnataka State Mental Health Task Force Chairman K A Ashok Pai, the Chief Minister said an Autism Centre would be opened at Srirampura in Bangalore.
Under the "Manasadhara" programme, he said rehabilitation centers in each district would provide training in skill development for people recovered from disabilities.
Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader said programmes aimed at "providing mental health at the doorsteps of people suffering from disabilities."
He urged the Centre to formulate a National Mental Health Policy.
Siddaramiah also launched a website of the Karnataka State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA.com)