On Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry held a discussion with the state government officials, doctors, and administrators working on the District Mental Health Programme over the Mental Health Care Bill proposed in 2010. Their discussion led to the decision to outlaw direct ECT. A senior official said, “Even though the Health Ministry recommended a ban on the whole procedure, psychiatrists felt it should be allowed under anesthesia as in some cases it is a life-saving exercise”. The ban would, however, be fully applied in case of minors. According to medical experts, direct ECT is detrimental as it causes bone fractures and seizures in several cases. “To totally ban ECT is wrong. But direct ECT should be banned. ECT under the influence of anesthesia, too, should be sparingly used,” said Dr Nimesh Desai, director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences. For more information visit: http://www.themedguru.com/20110323/newsfeature/electroshocks-mentally-retarded-be-banned-india-86144114.html