India has only 25,000 psychiatrists and it needs 50,000 more to meet the recommended ratio of three psychiatrists per lakh population.
Visakhapatnam: Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav has announced plans to strengthen the state's medical infrastructure, including elevating the Visakhapatnam Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) to the level of the National Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS).
The aim, he said, is to “better serve the health needs of the North Andhra region.”
Speaking at the inauguration of the new medical facilities at the government mental hospital here on Tuesday, the minister listed several initiatives to address the state's healthcare challenges, particularly in mental health services.
Satyakumar Yadav inaugurated two projects, which include modern buildings at the mental care hospital constructed at a cost of Rs.29.70 crore and the urban primary health centre built at a cost of Rs.1.38 crore.
To address the shortage of mental health professionals, he said, AP would introduce specialized courses from next year, including a diploma in psychiatry and an M.Phil course in clinical psychology with 30 seats.
The minister highlighted the severity of mental health issues in the country, citing statistics that stated 15 crore people suffer from serious mental illnesses, with 80 per cent of them unaware of their condition.
India has only 25,000 psychiatrists and it needs 50,000 more to meet the recommended ratio of three psychiatrists per lakh population.
The minister also shared regional statistics, revealing that 14.5 per cent of pregnant women in coastal areas suffer from mental problems, with the figure rising to 19 per cent in rural areas and 21 per cent in tribal areas.
He noted that the mental care hospital served not only Andhra Pradesh but also received patients from Odisha and Chhattisgarh, making it a regional healthcare hub.
Satyakumar Yadav indicated that the authorities were considering changing the hospital's name to better reflect its expanded role, but he cautioned that such changes required careful consideration.
The state is expanding its mental health support through Bhavita centers that provide counseling services, he said.
Yadav stressed the importance of reducing unnecessary pressure on children and providing timely intervention for mental health issues.
MP Bharat emphasized the need to improve mental health service quality and expand de-addiction centre services.
North constituency MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju suggested renaming the mental care hospital to Neuro-Science and Research Centre to better reflect its modern approach. MLC Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao praised the medical profession as divine engagement, particularly serving mentally challenged patients.
