Seeking better financial support from the State government for resuming the rural mental health care programmes of the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in the Malabar region, patients and their relatives will stage dharnas in front of the Collectorates in Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram districts on Tuesday.
The protest is being organised under the aegis of the Kozhikode Initiative in Mental Health (KIMH), which has been campaigning for the restoration of IMHANS’ mental health programmes in various parts of Malabar.
Mental health activists and doctors working in the sector will address the district-level meets in the three districts.
K. Madhusoodanan, coordinator of KIMH, said IMHANS was in need of at least Rs.1 crore for resuming its rural intervention programmes. “So far it has got only Rs.50 lakh, which will not be sufficient to meet the expenses,” he said.
Better facilitiesAlong with the restoration of the rural mental health programmes, the protesters will also seek immediate government funding to improve the services for the mentally ill in various government hospitals.
KIMH office-bearers said many hospitals in the State lagged behind in offering improved treatment to the patients and treating them with dignity.
