The Chhattisgarh High Court today expresses deep concern over severe problems at the state mental hospital, located in Sendri, Bilaspur. Judges note many failings in how the hospital is run, including poor patient conditions and lack of proper care, as well as not enough staff and bad living spaces for those needing mental health help. This strong reaction from the court comes after media reports and ongoing cases highlight serious issues, urging the state government to quickly fix these critical problems. The court’s sharp words show an urgent need for better care for vulnerable patients and follow previous directives from the Supreme Court for states to have proper mental health hospitals.
Court Expresses Strong Concern
The Chhattisgarh High Court has recently shown strong displeasure regarding the poor management at Sendri Mental Hospital in Bilaspur, which is the only mental hospital in the state. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, voiced deep concern during recent hearings, pointing out that issues continue despite previous checks. The court has asked the Health Secretary to give a full report very soon. The court’s comments came after a report from court-appointed investigators, known as Court Commissioners, showed serious problems at the hospital. These investigators, Advocate Rahul Rishi and Advocate Himanshu Pandey, visited the hospital and put together a detailed report for the court. The court stressed that the lack of improvement is a big worry, especially because the hospital is the only one of its kind in Chhattisgarh. The judges said that it is not right that the conditions have not gotten better even after earlier checks.
“The High Court has expressed serious concern over the disorder at the state’s only mental hospital and directed the Health Secretary to submit a detailed report immediately. The High Court has expressed its displeasure over the mismanagement in the only mental hospital in Sendri, Chhattisgarh. The High Court will hear the matter on Tuesday. The investigation report of Court Commissioner Rahul Rishi and Himanshu Pandey mentions that doctors come late and leave before time.”
This strong stance from the High Court shows that it is serious about mental health services in the state. The time limit given to the Health Secretary and the court’s firm words are putting pressure on the government to make improvements.
Hospital Faces Many Problems
The report given by the Court Commissioners showed several serious problems at the Sendri Mental Hospital. One of the main issues found was that doctors and staff do not stay for their full work hours. The report said that doctors come late and leave early, often staying for only one to one and a half hours each day, instead of the required six hours from 8 AM to 2 PM. In addition to staff not being present, there is a big shortage of staff at the hospital. This lack of people directly affects the care given to patients, causing much trouble for patients and their families. The report also pointed out poor cleanliness and not enough basic facilities. A major problem highlighted was the absence of crucial medical equipment. The hospital does not have an ultrasound machine or other needed testing equipment. This means that patients needing such tests have to be sent to other hospitals, like Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Bilaspur. This situation causes extra trouble for patients, their families. even the hospital staff. The court has noted that such issues directly affect the patients’ well-being.
Previous Promises Not Kept
The situation at Sendri Mental Hospital is not a new problem. Records show that the need for a proper mental health hospital in Chhattisgarh has been a long-standing issue. As far back as 2008, the state government had promised the Supreme Court that a mental hospital would be built and ready by the end of that year. But, the Supreme Court’s order was not fully followed. While a building was put up, it was never made into a complete hospital as promised. Staff members who were hired, about 135 of them, were later sent to work in other places. This meant that the mental hospital, which was supposed to be a place for people with mental illness, remained just a dream. The High Court has recalled that just creating wards in other hospitals is not enough. The law requires a full and proper hospital dedicated only to people with mental illness, not just small parts of other hospitals. This history shows that despite long-standing needs and court orders, the state has struggled to provide proper mental healthcare services.
Why This Matters for Patients
The ongoing problems at the Sendri Mental Hospital have a direct and serious effect on patients and their families. When doctors are not present for enough time and there are not enough staff, patients do not get the care they need. This can lead to delays in treatment and a lower quality of care. For people with mental health conditions, consistent and timely care is very vital for their recovery and well-being. The lack of basic medical testing machines, like ultrasound, means patients have to go from one place to another for necessary tests. This causes stress and financial burden on families, many of whom are already struggling. It also means that diagnoses and treatment plans can be delayed, which can make mental health conditions worse. Many people in Chhattisgarh rely on government hospitals because they cannot afford costly private healthcare. When these government hospitals, especially the only mental hospital, do not work properly, it creates great difficulty for the common person. The court has noted that the majority of people depend on these public services.
Court Demands Quick Action
The Chhattisgarh High Court has given clear and strict orders to the state government. The court has directed the Health Secretary to carry out a full inspection of the Sendri Mental Hospital. Following this inspection, a detailed report must be presented to the court at the next hearing, which is set to happen within a week. The court has made it clear that the state’s repeated failure to improve conditions is not acceptable. This strong approach from the Chief Justice and the court’s clear statements put more pressure on the government to act swiftly and with seriousness. The court expects to see real changes, not just promises. The situation is being treated as a Public Interest Litigation, which means the court is looking into the matter to protect the public’s rights and welfare. The court’s aim is not only to fix the problems at Sendri Mental Hospital but also to improve mental health services across Chhattisgarh. The upcoming report from the Health Secretary will be key in showing how seriously the government takes this issue.
Wider Look at State Hospitals
The problems at Sendri Mental Hospital are part of a bigger picture concerning government healthcare in Chhattisgarh. The High Court has previously looked into the poor conditions of government hospitals throughout the state. News reports have brought to light many issues, including very long waiting times for patients, even at big hospitals like AIIMS Raipur. Some patients reportedly had to wait up to 48 hours just to see a doctor after they registered. The court has also noted problems like doctors not being present at Community Health Centres, with some places having many doctors officially listed but none present until late in the morning. This has left hundreds of patients waiting. Also, there have been reports of vital medical equipment not being used for long periods and issues with basic supplies like pregnancy kits and medicines. The High Court has shown a strong desire to improve public welfare through its actions. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha has taken up several public issues on his own, without anyone filing a case first, showing his commitment to addressing problems like poor healthcare in rural areas. This wider view by the court shows that it is looking at the overall state of healthcare and demanding better services for all people in Chhattisgarh. The current focus on Sendri Mental Hospital is a key part of these wider efforts to ensure that government healthcare facilities provide proper and humane care to all. 
