After a surprise inspection at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Dishad Garden, it was found that MRI and City Scan machines had not been working since 2012, which meant more than a decade. Along with this, X-ray and ultrasound facilities were also severely limited in their availability and functionality. Though the institution plays a key role as a mental health centre, it has only 371 beds. There are just 10 ventilator beds, which is far less than the requirement reported by the CM’s office.
Delhi’s Chief Minister Rekha Gupta calls this a “shocking lapse” of a premier mental health and neuroscience institute – IBHAS. While these gaps in the availability, accessibility, and functionality of facilities and resources were pointed out, the doctors and other health care professionals were applauded for working in such conditions. The CM refers to this as their “achievement”. Also, it was mentioned that it’s not the professionals’ fault but a lack of government support.
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Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences
IBHAS is currently one of the leading mental health Institutions, autonomously run by the Delhi Government. It provides services in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and other related disciplines. It also works in the area of research, training, and public awareness. IBHAS is spread across 111 acres, but currently only 20 per cent of the area is in use.
Read More: Why did NABH took away recognition of IHBAS?
The way forward
Unhappy with the current state of available facilities, CM mentioned that both medical and administrative issues would be resolved by the end of this financial year. Also, to make sure that citizens of Delhi get timely and quality treatment, advanced medical facilities and machines, along with other required resources, are being installed in the institution. The government’s high-priority focus now should be to equip the new building at IBHAS. This construction for Outpatients (OPD) will begin soon. This building aims to transform the centre into a more reliable, accessible, and high-quality treatment-providing institute. Thus, strengthening the capacity.
