National Human Rights Commission member Justice D.Murugesan and former Madras High court Judge G.M.Justice Akbar Ali today visited the Erwadi Dargah.
They were on a visit to inspect and find whether "proper care and treatment is being given to the mentally challenged Patients" admitted to Dawa Duwa hospital (spiritual psychological and medical counselling centre) attached to the dargah.
Dr.Ramasubramanian, state coordinator for mental health programme, said "They have come to see if the patients are treated properly without any human rights violation."
NHRC members said they were thinking of extending the Erwadi model of treatment to almost all states in the country.
There were many places of worship-Hindu, Christian and Muslim- where spiritual treatment was given to the mentally challenged patients.If it was combined with psychiatric counselling and medical treatment, the impact would be better.
The mental health care bill would be amended to help treated patients, they said.
They warned against chaining mentally challenged patients, and said a mental health medical treatment-cum-counselling centre would soon be established in a church at Puliampatti in Tuticorin district.
So far, 731 patients have been treated at the Erwadi centre.
