Antara (hospital)

Antaragram
Antara Society
Geography
Location India
Organisation
Funding Non-profit hospital
History
Founded 1971
Links
Website Official Website
Lists Hospitals in India

Antara (or Antaragram) is a noted mental health institution located in the outskirts of Kolkata, India. It is operated by the Antara Society. Antara was established in 1971 and got Registered in 1972 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 Antaragram, the group of founders including Dr. Satrujit Dasgupta, Maj. (Dr.) R B Davis, P M John, and Bro Andrew along with Mother Teresa and Mar Thoma Church, Calcutta operated an Outpatient Psychiatric Unit in 1971. Next year, the group provided residential facilities to mentally ill patients. From 1982 onward, 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 1980.[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

Clarification on the above statement: Adult psychiatric patients can be admitted in a Psychiatric hospital without the patient's consent -- there are provisions for this in the Mental Health Act, 1987. Consent of the patient is not required under special circumstances. Again, in the case of a minor (below 18 years of age), the patient can be admitted by the guardian, either natural parent or a court-appointed guardian. The patient in question was a minor and she was admitted by her father.

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.heraldofindia.com/article.php?id=445
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-02. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  3. ↑ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-17/kolkata/36393570_1_mobile-phone-sexual-abuse-friend

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