The HC directed SMHA that attempts should be made to discharge at least 50 to 70 eligible patients every month from mental health establishments to either their family homes or the rehabilitation centre/halfway homes.
India News: The Bombay high court criticizes the lack of coordination between state government departments regarding three patients who could not be reunited with
Sheetal, a 69-year-old with a learning difficulty, has been discharged from a mental hospital in Pune after 50 years, but her family has not contacted her. Similarly, Sohan, 62, has spent 33 years at the same hospital despite being fit for discharge. The hospital is now working to rehabilitate long-stay patients who have been cured but have no visitors or family willing to take them back. In partnership with rehabilitation centres, the hospital will send 42 patients to begin new lives outside the facility.