The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2013, which seeks to provide better healthcare for people suffering from mental illnesses.
The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2013, which seeks to provide better healthcare for people suffering from mental illnesses. Members sought urgent steps to address the lack of infrastructure and shortage of psychiatrists in the country. The bill was passed unanimously by a voice vote. With 134 official amendments to the bill, it took almost an hour for the bill to be passed clause by clause.
The bill seeks to provide protection and promotion of rights of persons with mental illness during the delivery of healthcare in institutions and in the community. Replying to a debate on the legislation, Union health minister J.P. Nadda termed it as “humane and progressive” and said its focus was to provide better support and facilities to the people suffering from various kinds of mental illnesses.
