Released on: October 14, 2008, 4:35 am

Press Release Author: Moolchand Medcity

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: Moolchand Medcity organized an interactive panel discussion
with the focal theme "Meeting the challenges of Mental Health Promotion-Role of
Primary Care Physicians", in association with IMA-South Delhi Branch at Moolchand
Auditorium.

Press Release Body: Moolchand Medcity, New Delhi, October 10, 2008

Moolchand Medcity organized an interactive panel discussion with the focal theme
"Meeting the challenges of Mental Health Promotion-Role of Primary Care Physicians",
in association with IMA-South Delhi Branch at Moolchand Auditorium. IMA South Delhi
Branch has been organizing orientation courses in mental health for the past few
years. A large number of physicians have benefited in terms of knowledge, skills
and attitude towards betterment of mental health. The main purpose of this crusade
is to promote general awareness and responsibility regarding mental health issues in
primary care and have consensus building for future ideas and action. More than 120
doctors from all over India attended the event and highlighted the issues of mental
health in primary care and need of child health education, especially in India. The
session was widely attended by physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nursing
students and a few school children with a holistic approach for interface between
psychiatry and primary care at school level. The initial estimates suggest that
about 500 million people in the world alive today suffer from mental or neurological
disorders or from psychological problems such as those related to alcohol and drug
abuse. Many of them suffer silently. Many of them suffer alone. Beyond this
suffering and absence of care lie the frontiers of stigma, shame, exclusion and more
often than we care to know, death. The mental healthcare facility at Moolchand has
made a landmark movement with comprehensive psychiatry and psychology services.

Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry and Child Health Psychology,
Moolchand Medcity said that mental illness is not a personal failure. It doesn't
happen only to other people. He said that there should be no discrimination on the
grounds of mental illness and as far as possible every patient shall have the right
to be treated and cared for in his or her own community in the least restrictive
environment and with the least intrusive treatment. Dr. Jitendra Nagpal said,
"Mental, neurological and behavioral disorders are common to all countries and cause
immense suffering. People with these disorders are often subjected to social
isolation, poor quality of life and increased mortality. These disorders are the
cause of staggering economic and social costs." He further added, "Mental illnesses
affect and are affected by chronic conditions such as cancer, heart and
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Untreated, they bring about
unhealthy behaviour, non-compliance with prescribed medical regimens, diminished
immune functioning, and poor prognosis." He also stressed on a few of the barriers
to effective treatment of mental illness which includes lack of recognition of the
seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of
services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the
public at large-all discriminate between physical and mental problems.

The other psychiatrists and psychologists who attended the session were Dr. Samir
Parikh, Dr. Sandeep Vohra, Dr. Aruna Broota, Dr. A K Israni, Dr. Neena Vohra, Dr.
Avdesh Sharma, Dr. S C Malik and Dr. Anita Mahajan.


About Moolchand

As one of India's foremost names in healthcare, Moolchand has been setting standards
for the past half century. Located in the heart of the capital, the plans are to
develop Moolchand Medcity as Asia's largest single site multi specialty hospital
complex (6 specialties, 1000+ beds). We aspire to be your lifelong healthcare
partner by delivering your healthcare wishlist: superb physicians, cutting-edge
technology, compassionate care, integrity and affordable excellence.



Web Site: http://moolchandhealthcare.com

Contact Details: Media Coordinator
Moolchand Medcity, Lajpat Nagar III, New Delhi 110 024, India
M: +91 99589 97291
T: +91 11 4200 0000
F: +91 11 4200 0300
E: info@moolchandhealthcare.com