Yerwada Mental Hospital

Yerwada Mental Hospital
Government of India
Geography
Location	Maharashtra, India
Organisation
Care system	Public
Funding	Government hospital
Services
Beds	1,590 [1]
Links
Lists	Hospitals in India
Other links	Mental Healthcare in India

Regional Mental Hospital (also known as Yerwada Mental Hospital) is a psychiatric hospital located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is one of the largest mental hospitals in Asia.^[2]

Controversy and criticisms

Bribery by official

In December 2004, Times of India reported that a psychiatrist working for Yerwada Mental Hospital had bribed a person associated with the Director General of Police. It was alleged that Govind Vaidya issued fitness certificates for bribes. This was captured by an undercover operation held in July, 2000. To stall this investigation, he then bribed an official to the tune of Rs. 30,000 (500 US$). The raid by the police department into his house resulted in the seizure of Rs. 274,000 (4500 $US).^[3]

Poor condition and quality of care

The quality of care offered by the hospital is poor. The compound has a 100-year-old drainage system and has erratic water supply. This led to some defecating patients to wipe with their clothes.^[4] The quality of uniform worn by the patients are also poor.^[5]

Alleged rape by staff

In October 2013, it was reported that a female patient who had been involuntarily committed into the institution was raped by hospital staff. Four individuals were arrested. The director of the hospital refuted the allegations.The patient was taken into care by an NGO shortly after she filed the complaint.^[6][7]

Mental illness among long-term staff

In October, 2013, Daily News & Analysis reported that some staff who worked at the hospital for a long period developed mental illness such as schizopherenia and psychosis. These individuals were kept under the care of the hospital psychiatrists. A representative from the hospital also stated that monthly check-ups were being conducted to prevent the occurrence of mental illness among staff members. An independent psychiatrist commented that the demand to show empathy to their patients can result in burnout within a couple of years.^[8]

References

1. articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-12-18/pune/27178323_1_shiv-sainiks-women-employees-health-services
2. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-12-18/pune/27178323_1_shiv-sainiks-women-employees-health-services
3. articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-12-21/pune/27151172_1_the-acb-dgp-acb-corruption-case
4. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/officials-wake-up-to-squalid-state-of-yerawada-mental-hospital/1180676/0
5. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/yerawada-mental-hospital-seeks-cctvs-police-chowki/1181156/
6. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/yerawada-mental-hospital-seeks-cctvs-police-chowki/1181156/
7. http://www.punemirror.in/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=201208132012081310111353776dcb4e9
8. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-falling-prey-to-some-of-the-mental-illnesses-they-treat-1901336