Mental health services in New Nepal--observations, objections and outlooks for the future.
It has been over a decade since the government of Nepal adopted the National Mental Health Policy (NMHP) in 1997. This article analyses the current provision of fragmented mental health services in Nepal through case scenarios from Jumla in northwest and Janakpur in southeast Nepal, criticises the proposed mental health Act, discusses the reasons why the NMHP has not been implemented and suggests future models of delivering mental health services in the wider community. Absence of a mental health section within the department of health, insufficient budget, chronic shortage of trained manpower, and unplanned growth of private medical institutions appear to be the issues deserving urgent attention. Setting up specialist psychiatric facilities in all developmental regions or future states, developing community mental health programmes and integration of mental health into general health care are the ways forward to meet the needs and expectations of the new federal Nepal.
Jha
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Nepalese Doctors' Association (UK), Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Logandene Core Unit, Ashley Close, Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, HP3 8BL, UK. arunjha@hotmail.co.uk
Adhikari
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D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000639:trends*; D009390:Nepal