The Lok Sabha has taken up the Mental Healthcare Bill 2016 for discussion post-lunch. The bill seeks to provide for mental healthcare and services for persons with mental illness and to protect and fulfil the rights of such person during the delivery of mental healthcare. Speaking on the Bill, Health Minister J P Nadda said that the bill is progressive in nature and patient centric. He said that the bill gives a person with mental illness right to equality, confidentiality and to have all medical records. <br/><br/>Mr. Nadda said the unique feature of the bill is that it has got provision of advance directive. If a person thinks that mental illness may happen to him, he can direct about his treatment and nominate a representative. Participating in the discussion, Shashi Tharoor said the bill was conceived by the earlier UPA government. He welcomed the various provisions of the bills that safeguards of interest of the mentally ill people.