Kerala High Court Inspects 150-Year-Old Mental Health Centre; Flags Staff Shortage, Infrastructure Woes
A judicial team of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji, conducted an inspection of the Mental Health Centre (MHC) in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The visit covered the 26-acre campus, including in-patient blocks, women’s wards, and the high-security forensic block.
During the tour, senior health officials accompanying the judges highlighted several deficiencies. These included inadequate infrastructure, a severe shortage of support staff such as helpers, attenders, launderers, cooks, and drivers, and issues related to patient safety and security. A senior health official stated, 'We have adequate doctors, but there is an acute shortage of grade IV employees. Unlike other hospitals, patient care requirements in mental health institutions are much higher.'
The officials also noted the lack of police aid posts and security measures. The court reportedly promised to issue necessary directives to the government to address these concerns.
The MHC, established 150 years ago, had an initial master plan worth ₹100 crore. However, this was replaced by a new initiative for which ₹87 crore was approved through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). The project has not progressed, and some buildings have been declared unfit by the Public Works Department. Patients have been relocated to existing facilities, causing overcrowding.
The inspection team observed that patient-friendly and modernisation initiatives implemented in other public hospitals have bypassed this institution, indicating insufficient priority for mental health in the state. A lawyer and human rights activist associated with the Kerala Legal Services Society remarked, 'The High Court has been the only beacon of hope for mental health institutions here. Issues of care and human rights of mentally-ill persons receive attention only due to judicial intervention. With rising depression and suicides, it is imperative to develop MHC into a modern psychiatry hospital.'
The inspection team included amicus curiae Ramkumar Nambiar, District Legal Service Authority secretary and sub judge Lekshmi K. Thampi, City Police Commissioner Arul R.B. Krishna, Director of Health Services V. Meenakshy, and the Director of Social Justice, along with other health officials.
