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SINGAPORE: Patients who have to be detained in psychiatric institutions in Singapore now have stronger safeguards to ensure that their detention is not abused. These safeguards were spelt out in the Mental Health Care and Treatment Bill passed in Parliament on Monday.
There are times when patients with mental disorders have to be detained involuntarily in a psychiatric institution. But they must all fulfil two conditions.
One, their condition requires in-patient treatment and two, it is in the interest of their own health and safety, or the safety of those around him. However, if the patient has to be detained beyond six months, a Magistrate's Order would be needed.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said, "After the first month of detention, any further detention, if ordered by two designated doctors, will be capped at a maximum of six months. This is half of the current provision.
"For detention beyond six months, a Magistrate's order will be required. These safeguards are to ensure that patients are not detained beyond what is medically required."
Six MPs who debated the legislative changes raised several concerns - among them, the social stigma against patients with mental illness in the job market as well as potential abuse by those who use the law to wash their hands off elderly family members with mental disorders like dementia.
However, Mr Khaw reassured the House that the police, for example, will not act rashly on a complaint and have a person detained in a psychiatric institution.
Other safeguards include much stiffer penalties for offences committed against those who have to be detained for treatment.
For example, the penalty for anyone convicted of physical or sexual abuse or for wilful neglect of such patients has gone up from S$500 or a jail term of two years or both, to a maximum fine of S$5,000 or a jail term of four years or both.
And if death is caused, the maximum fine is S$20,000 or seven years in jail or both.
Mr Khaw said: "These patients are in a vulnerable situation and we need to send a clear message that abuse of such patients will not be tolerated."
MP for Marine Parade Ong Seh Hong also called for MediShield to be extended to treatments for mental disorders. But the Health Minister rejected this, saying doing so would mean raising its premiums.
He added that the government will work hard on changing society’s mindset on the social stigma associated with those with mental disorders.
"The mentally ill need our help, sympathy and empathy. Put ourselves in their shoes. If we treat them as a psychopath, it would make their recovery more difficult," he said. - CNA/vm
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