World Mental Health Day: Mandaviya stresses on need for well-informed social discourse

Bengaluru: Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya presided over the 25th Convocation of National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) held on October 10, 2021 at Bengaluru. As many as 227 postgraduates received various degrees and certificates; and 13 were honored with meritorious awards at the convocation ceremony.

Delivering the presidential address at the Silver jubilee convocation the Union Health Minister said that the doctors of today have a very significant role in the making of New India and that true Commitment and dedication can make this possible.

“Positive mental health plays a crucial role in the well-being of an individual. On World Mental Health Day, let’s pledge to end the stigma associated with mental illness. Wear a Green Ribbon to create awareness about mental health. I appeal people in need to come forward and seek help,” Mandaviya later tweeted.

To commemorate the silver jubilee event, various new facilities at NIMHANS were inaugurated by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The world’s most advanced and accurate cranial radiosurgery system, the Gamma Knife Icon, was dedicated to the nation. The Department of Integrative Medicine, which combines traditional Indian healthcare approach with evidence-based modern biomedicine system & Nurses’ Hostel was also inaugurated on the occasion.

The minister also attended the world mental health day celebration s at NIMHANS. He witnessed an exhibition on mental health arranged on the occasion. Addressing the world mental health commemoration day, the Union Health minister highlighted the need for well-informed social discourse on mental health. He further said that mental health issues are preventable & treatable. The union Minister also Launched ‘Quit Tobacco, be a Hero’ campaign at NIMHANS.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. B. S. Bommai was the Chief Guest at the event attended by other eminent dignitaries.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, also inaugurated the 90 bedded Modular COVID field Hospital, at Bengaluru. Present at the occasion was Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. B.S Bommai and State Health Minister, Mr. K. Sudhakar among other dignitaries. The 90 bedded modular COVID Field hospital was established in collaboration with Texas Instruments, Nokia, Swasti, Viatris in record time of 26 days, as part of their CSR initiatives. Speaking at the event the union health minister congratulated the state for excellent vaccination campaign under the leadership of the CM. The union minister further felicitated the key persons behind the CSR initiative.

The union Health Minister also attended the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme in Karnataka & distributed free first aid kits to senior citizens on the occasion. Speaking at the event he said that PMBJP was scaling new heights with 8,300+ stores across the country, providing quality medicines at affordable prices to all and the Generic Medicines usage had increased from 2% to 10% in the country.