A Decade and a Half: Delhi's Premier Mental Health Institute Still Lacks Basic Diagnostic Tools

Imagine this: a premier institution, a lifeline for countless individuals grappling with complex mental health and neurological conditions, operating for over a decade without the very diagnostic tools essential for proper care. It sounds almost unbelievable, doesn't it? Yet, this is the stark reality faced by the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Delhi.

Yes, you heard that right – thirteen long years. IHBAS, an apex centre for neurosciences and mental health, astonishingly still finds itself without functioning MRI and CT scan services. Think about that for a moment. Thirteen years since these vital machines were first deemed necessary, and they're still nowhere to be found on-site. It's a truly baffling situation for an institute of its stature.

This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a significant roadblock for patients and their families. Picture having to shuttle a vulnerable patient, often in distress or with limited mobility, across the city to other government hospitals like Lok Nayak or GB Pant, just for a basic scan. Not only does this add immense physical and emotional strain, but it also piles on additional costs for transportation and potentially further delays in treatment.

For conditions where early and accurate diagnosis is absolutely critical – especially in neuro-psychiatric disorders where imaging can reveal so much – this delay can be, quite frankly, devastating. A prompt CT scan or MRI can be the difference between a quick diagnosis and weeks or months of uncertainty, impacting treatment outcomes and a patient's quality of life. It’s a matter of timely intervention, you know?

It's particularly frustrating when you consider IHBAS's standing. Established back in 1993, and then designated an 'Apex Centre' for neurosciences in 2005, it's meant to be at the forefront of mental health and neurological care in the region. Yet, when it comes to fundamental diagnostic imaging, it's lagging sorely behind. How can an 'apex centre' truly function without these foundational tools?

And what about the authorities, you might ask? Well, it's a story of promises, year after year, that just don't seem to materialize. We've heard it all before: in February 2023, the Delhi health minister promised these services would be operational within a year. A year prior, in 2022, the PWD minister made similar assurances. It's a familiar refrain that, unfortunately, has done little to alleviate the actual suffering and inconvenience faced by patients and their dedicated healthcare providers.

It’s not just patient care that suffers either. This deficiency also impacts the institute's ability to conduct cutting-edge research and attract top talent, further hindering its potential growth and contribution to medical science. Thirteen years is far too long to wait for something so fundamental. It’s high time these promises translated into actual, tangible action, ensuring that IHBAS can truly live up to its reputation and provide the comprehensive, timely care Delhi's citizens desperately deserve.