DESPITE THE GLOOM, NOT ALL HOPE IS LOST - YET

OSAMA MANZAR reports on the ‘rehumanising’ of Ranchi’s mental institution
Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make made – Euripides

The earliest institutional provision for the insane was more for the protection of the public than for the care of the inmates. But with the provision and availability of “specialist facilities” in such institutions, the” concept of curing mental ill nesses slowly gained acceptance.
This, however, does not appear to be true for the 2000-plus inmates of Ranchi Mansik Arogyashala (RMA). The institution in the industrial city HOM the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad continues to be a prison, a human zoo where “mad men and women” are continued to a heart-r inhuman existence. Mental illness afflicts mainly the poor of Indian society; in fact, many lunatics starve to death as a callous society turns the other way. But for the inmates of the RMA, life itself is such a night mare that even death appears more dignified.
The mentally unbalanced in the RMA are a breed abandoned by their families to rot. And the “treatment and care” pro vided by the institution often only adds to their torment.
The 67-year-old ArQgyashala, spread over 500 acres of land in the suburb of Kanke, seven km from the city, is a dilapidated building that looks like a her mitage. Though one of Asia’s largest mental hospitals, the RMA has, come to be equated with crime, corruption and cruelty. Even the fertile imagination of a horror film-maker cannot recreate the sights, smells and despair that is the RMA today.
Inadequate water supply, un hygienic living conditions and insufficient food supplies are weak words to express appropriately the inhumanity of those administering the hospital - The lavatories are choked, and the poorly lit wards have human excreta on the floor.
Everything in the 1 assails the senses, shocking visitors and filling them with gloom. This is especially true of the female ward. Nude and semi- nude figures unsuccessfully try to hide behind the bars or each other. Several inmates, through scratching themselves with dirty nails, have developed abscesses all over the body. Sexual harassment of the younger women is common.
Amidst all the pessimism came a glimmer of hope in 1988. A unique project was launched by Sabita Rani Devi, wife of Dr B. P. Sinha, now deputy super intendent, RMA, and in-charge of female section, to identify patients who were well to return home and rehabilitate them. But reluctant family members looked on the patients as avoid able burdens and the project has not lasted.
After the intervention of the Supreme Court, things have improved. The Bihar Government has sanctioned Rs three crore and renovation is on.
But the institution’s union — Kanke Karamchari Sangh — is irate over the superintendent’s attitude towards utilisation of funds. Said T . K. Singh, a self- styled leader: “Funds should be utilised in a manner that directly benefits the patients — in terms of healthy diet, effective medicines, hygienic convenience, comfortable sleeping arrangements, washed clothes, etc. But a large part of the funds are being utilised for building construction.”
The RMA is slowly trying to absorb the rays of hope. Its rehumanising process has just begun.