Mental hospital affected by shortage of staff

A severe shortage of staff at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), at Mulleriyawa, had affected both workers and patients, Dr. Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director of NIMH, said on Wednesday during a televised interview.

She said that there were about 1,100 patients at the NIMH.

“Although there must be five staff members to each patient, the NIMH does not have anywhere close to that ratio,” she said.

There are only 1250 staff members at NIMH.

There is also a ward for people who are suffering from severe mental issues due to drug abuse, she said.