Antara (hospital)

Antaragram
Antara Society
Geography
Location India
Organisation
Funding Non-profit hospital
History
Founded 1982
Links
Website Official Website
Lists Hospitals in India

Antaragram (or Antara) is a noted mental health institution located in the outskirts of Kolkata, India. It is operated by the Antara Society. Antara was established in 1980 by a group of like minded psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.[1]

Organisation and administration

Antaragram is operated by the charitable trust Antara. Prior to the establishment of Antara, the group of founders including Satrujit Dasgupta, R B Davis, P M John, and B Andrew along with Mother Teresa and Mars Thomas Church Centre operated an Outpatient Psychiatric Unit in a general hospital in 1971. Next year, the group provided residential facilities to mentally ill patients. From 1982 onwards, a need arose to cater to a much larger patient population. Land was purchased in the outskirts of Kolkata to establish the larger Mental Health Hospital. The site was called Antaragram. The foundation stone was laid by Mother Teresa in 1982.[1][2]

Departments

Services offered

Controversy and criticisms

Involuntary admission of female patient

In January, 2013, Times of India reported that a female individual was sent to Antara because she alleged that her family member molested her. The institution admitted her without her consent. The treating psychiatrist was Dr. Payal Roy.[3] Another psychiatrist who previously saw the individual commented:

For any adult who needs treatment for mental health has to be admitted according to the guidelines under the Mental Health Act 1987. The admission cannot be done against the consent of the person
—Dr. Jai Ranjan Ram, Consultant Psychiatrist, Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata, Times of India

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.heraldofindia.com/article.php?id=445
  2. ↑ http://www.antaraglobal.org/spirit.html#.UnRdk3BpnYI
  3. ↑ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-17/kolkata/36393570_1_mobile-phone-sexual-abuse-friend

External links