Agartala, September 11: The State Mental Health Authority, Tripura, has initiated action against privately run rehabilitation centres and mental health establishments allegedly operating without the required registration or approval in the state.
Show-cause notices were issued on September 9 to a total of 19 centres and organisations for allegedly providing treatment and rehabilitation services to persons with mental illness and substance-use disorders without the necessary registration under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
The first notice was issued to Swapna Foundation at Ujan Abhoynagar in Agartala. The authority alleged that the organisation was operating a mental health or rehabilitation centre without registration from the competent authority. Complaints regarding the health and well-being of patients have also been received.
The foundation has been given seven days to submit a written reply explaining why action should not be taken against it under the law. The authority has warned that failure to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated period, or non-cooperation with the inquiry, could lead to unilateral legal action.
Show-cause notices were also issued to another 18 centres and organisations for allegedly providing mental healthcare and rehabilitation services without valid registration or permission under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
The 18 organisations are Jiban Jagriti Foundation, Santirbazar; Holy Foundation, Jirania; Rupayan Foundation, Dashamighat; James Foundation, Jampuijala; Relieve Foundation, Bypass Road, Agartala; Hill Foundation, Bachaibari, Khowai; Saksham Rehabilitation Centre, Khumulung; Deep Foundation, Kanchanpur; Bethesda Rehab Facility, Nandanagar; Welfare Society, Muchang, Kamalpur; Serene and Sober Foundation, Shalgarah; Relieve Foundation, SPO Office, Sepahijala; Radhyia Foundation, Barjala, Agartala; Rejuvenation Foundation, Teliamura; Yapri Kautal Foundation, Gabardi; Revival Foundation, Tulashikhar; TSB Counselling Centre, Takarjala; and Edensend Foundation, Bishramganj.
These organisations have also been directed to submit their replies within seven days. The authority said failure to provide a satisfactory response or cooperate with the inquiry could result in unilateral legal action.
Under the Mental Healthcare Act, all rehabilitation centres operating in the state are required to obtain registration and comply with the rules and standards prescribed by the State Mental Health Authority.
The authority said the prescribed guidelines contain 12 specific standards that rehabilitation centres are required to follow. These include safety arrangements, food quality, adequate accommodation, disability-friendly infrastructure and biomedical safety, among other requirements.
According to observations made by the authority, several rehabilitation centres have allegedly failed to comply fully with the prescribed standards and quality requirements, raising concerns over the safety and rights of patients.
The authority has therefore issued show-cause notices to centres that have either not obtained the required registration or are allegedly failing to comply with the prescribed standards. If satisfactory replies are not received within seven days, necessary action will be taken under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, the authority said.
