IMHANS yet to have a full-time director

The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), an autonomous institution under the Kerala government that functions in the areas of mental healthcare delivery, training, research, and policy development, does not have a full-time director for the past one year.

The vacancy arose after the demise of P. Krishnakumar, long-time director of the institute, last year. For around five months, K.G. Sajeeth Kumar, Principal, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, was given its charge. Thereafter, V.P. Jithu, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, was given the responsibility.

However, sources close to the institute point out that a full-time director is required for devising new schemes and taking up research works and meaningful interventions in the mental healthcare sector. Apart from outpatient services, it runs an autism clinic, conducts community mental health programmes, child development services, and rehabilitation projects. Patients from almost all districts in north Kerala depend on IMHANS for their mental healthcare needs.

The institute conducts MPhil programmes in Psychiatric Social Work, Clinical Psychology and post-basic diploma in Psychiatric Nursing. MPhil (Psychiatric Social Work) was started in 2014 and M Phil (Clinical Psychology) in 2017. The post-basic diploma in psychiatric nursing commenced in 2014. All these courses were launched for the first time in the government sector in Kerala here.

The institute got its own building when Dr. Krishnakumar was its director. As a recognition of the community projects, IMHANS was selected by the Union government to be elevated as a centre of excellence in mental health in the 11th Plan.

In the recent State Budget, the government allocated ₹5 crore for the institute. The sources said the Health department had invited applications from qualified people under the Directorate of Medical Education and the Directorate of Health Services for the post.