Rotary Bangalore Midtown signs MOU with Department of Health & Family Welfare

BANGALORE:
Rotary Midtown proudly announces the distinguished visit of Rotary International President to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between District Health and Family Welfare Officer, Bengaluru Urban District, Government of Karnataka, under the aegis of the Health & Family Welfare Commissioner and Rotary Bangalore Midtown charitable trust. Scheduled for 12 December 2023, this event marks a pivotal moment in the collaboration between Rotary Midtown and the Government of Karnataka, reinforcing their commitment to advancing mental health care in Anekal Taluk.

The MOU signifies a groundbreaking partnership aimed at deploying eMaanasi, a state-of-the-art digital platform, for the continuum of mental health care in the region. This transformative initiative is part of Project Maanasi, a visionary endeavor started in 2001 to bridge the treatment gap in mental health care and provide accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant services.

Genesis of Project Maanasi
Started in 2001, Project Maanasi has evolved into a pioneer mental health project with collaborative support from Rotary Midtown, Bangalore, Rotary International, St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, and HSIS Masjid Wakf Charitable Medical Centre, Bangalore. Offering a comprehensive range of services, Project Maanasi addresses the critical issues of availability, affordability, and acceptability in mental health services in rural India.

Overcoming Challenges: Availability, Affordability, Acceptability
Operating every Friday at the St. John’s Health Centre in Mugalur, the Maanasi clinic has become a crucial mental health resource for the local community. By ensuring accessibility through routine visits to villages and fostering trust within the community, Project Maanasi eliminates barriers to seeking help. The sliding scale fee structure, based on economic background, enhances affordability, while positive outcomes contribute to destigmatizing mental health issues.

eMaanasi: The Digital Backbone
The eMaanasi Digital Platform, developed under the guidance of St. John’s Medical College, serves as the digital backbone of the Maanasi model. With a design that enables a single trained medical doctor to treat hundreds of mental health patients across rural and urban areas, eMaanasi reinforces the commitment to accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant mental health services in India.

Impactful Journey: By the Numbers
The impact of Project Maanasi is reflected in the numbers:

• Total Cases at Mugalur: 8,878 cases attended since 2015
• Total Cases at HSIS Masjid Wakf Charitable Medical Centre: 13,284 patients treated since 2019
• Cost per Patient at Mugalur: Decreasing cost per patient, with the 2023 cost being 611.46

These figures underscore the sustainable and impactful approach of Project Maanasi in providing cost-effective mental health care.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
As Project Maanasi achieves another milestone, Rotary Midtown looks forward to expanding its reach, reducing barriers, and promoting mental well-being. In collaboration with Karnataka Health and Family Welfare, Rotary Midtown is set to initiate a pilot program at Anekal taluk hospital, extending the comprehensive continuum of mental health care to rural Karnataka.

The collaborative efforts of Rotary Midtown, Rotary International, St John’s Medical College, and the Government of Karnataka exemplify the importance of community-driven solutions in the realm of mental health. The visit of the Rotary International President adds a distinguished dimension to this transformative journey, emphasising the collective commitment to advancing mental health care in the region.