Report on Mental Health Survey and Counseling on Psychosocial Issues for Migrants at Construction Camps
As per the Supreme Court order dated 31st March 2020 to address psychosocial issues in migrants at various labour/construction camps across the country, who have been confined to camps in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic,NIMHANS Bengaluru provided the template for counseling.
The DMHP (District Mental Health Program Pune) allotted this work to mental health professionals working in the government sector as also departments of Psychiatry in various medical colleges both private and government.
For BVDUMC & Bharati Hospital Pune Dr Jyoti Shetty Professor & Head Dept of Psychiatry BVDUMC & BHRC Pune was the nodal officer.
The sites to be covered were 30 covering 2814 migrant labourers.
The sites allotted to BVDUMC Pune included Kondwa, NIBM road, Undri, Biwewadi, Gultekdi, Ambegaon and Katraj Pune.
The site visits took place from 20th April to 27th April 2020.
The team comprised of
- Dr Jyoti Shetty Professor & Head Dept of Psychiatry Bharati Hospital Pune
- Dr Nilesh Naphade Professor
- Dr Manjiri Datar Associate Professor
- Dr Arun Sain Senior resident
- Dr Kashish Thaper Junior resident
- Dr Arpit Kaushal Junior resident
- Sulakshana Kamble Medical social worker
- Kalyani Ranbhise Nurse
Face shields,masks,gloves,caps were provided by the Bharati Hospital (Katraj) management as also the transport vehicle (SUV) and driver.
The site visit reports and photos were sent to DMHP Pune coordinator Dr Madhumita Bahaley.
Social distancing was observed while interacting with the labourers.
Feedback from various sites varied.
Some developers had provided one free meal and paid for the month of March.
Complaints from some sites was the poor quality and less quantity of rationed food given and lack of money.
Another complaint was also of not being able to access healthcare when needed.
Education on COVID 19, need for social distancing,hygiene,use of masks, handwashing was given.
The workers were given an opportunity to ask questions and were reassured with regards to access to healthcare.They were counseled with regards to symptoms of anxiety and ways to cope with the consequences of lockdown.
Glimpses
