CUTTACK: The state government will sign a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences ( Nimhans ) at Bengaluru in an effort to establish a ' virtual knowledge network ' that will ensure mental health support for those in rural areas.The agreement will be signed on August 10. Under the project, experts from Nimhans will have consultation sessions with doctors at district headquarter hospitals through smart phones. The agreement will be signed in the presence of health minister Pratap Jena, director of the mental health wing of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Dr S P Swain , and officials of Nimhans.The Rs 70 lakh will be spent on the project. SCB's mental health department will function as the nodal centre. A special room will be created in SCB with projectors and internet facility from where doctors from Nimhans and district headquarters can be connected.The facility will ensure psychiatric help to poor people who cannot come to cities like Cuttack or Bhubaneswar for treatment. "If a patient visits the district headquarters hospital, the doctors present there can consult on cases with us at SCB and or with experts at Nimhans and accordingly treat the patient," said Dr Swain.The agreement will be signed on August 10 and we have plans to start the programme within a month, added Swain.This is a first of its kind initiative by state government through which doctors will be connected with a medical institution for advanced treatment of patients suffering from various serious mental diseases.

Stay updated with all the Latest Cuttack headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.