Kathmandu, April 28 -- In a bid to lessen stigma and discrimination against people with mental health issues in healthcare settings, health authorities are planning to implement quality improvement measures at least at two hospitals in the upcoming fiscal year.

Although such measures are necessary in all health facilities providing mental health care, only two hospitals have been selected due to budget constraints, officials say.

"Many general hospitals providing mental health care do not have separate rooms and privacy so that patients can tell their problems without fear of stigmatisation and discrimination," said Dr Pomawati Thapa, chief of the Non-communicable Disease and Mental Health Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control...