Tuesday, January 18, 2011

[Dharwad] Rs 50 cr sought to upgrade Dimhans

Source: Times of India

DHARWAD: Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Dimhans) will be developed on lines of Bangalore-based Nimhans. A Rs 50-crore proposal to this effect has been sent to the government.

Dimhans director Dr Shivanand Doddamani and MP Pralhad Joshi told reporters here on Sunday that the development works include setting up of neurology and neurosurgery units and introducing new post-graduate courses, which would be taken up in three phases between 2011 and 2015.

New courses to be started here are MD and DPM in Psychiatry, MPhil in Clinical Psychology, and Psychiatric Social Work and diploma in Psychiatric Nursing. The government has issued a notification converting the 10 non-teaching posts into teaching posts for the purpose and the courses would start once the vacancies are filled. An independent de-addiction ward would start functioning once the process of appointments is completed.

Nimhans management has agreed to allow Dimhans staff to take part in training programmes and academic activities to enhance their skills. Likewise, they have also agreed to send their experts for rendering academic services at Dimhans. Steps have been taken to train medical, para-medical staff and others under National Mental Health Programme, they said.

About the ongoing works related to the construction of forensic ward, rehabilitation centre, mechanized laundry and modern kitchen are nearing completion and these units would be inaugurated in March. Tenders have been called for Rs 2.66 crore administrative block works.

Replying a query, Dr Doddamani said steps are being taken to curb illegal paying guest business, "allegedly" run by Dimhans staff for the students. Besides, enhancing the capacity of the existing hostels, steps have been initiated to construct a new one for the benefit of students.

No comments: