The Institute of Mental Health Trust has sought the appointment of a special officer to take forward the development of the Government Mental Health Centre, Kozhikode.
A request has been submitted to the State government. The Trust, chaired by the District Collector, was formed some years ago to implement the ₹400-crore master plan that proposes to raise it as an ‘Institute of Mental Health’ with global standards.
Official sources told The Hindu on Thursday that right now the hospital superintendent was handling both the works related to the master plan as well as the daily administration. The special officer, if appointed, would be able to focus more on the much-needed facelift the institution requires.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organisation (KITCO) has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) for implementation of the master plan to the Trust. Some corrections have been suggested, after doing which the Trust would go through it again, the sources said. The corrected DPR would be submitted to the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) for approval and release of funds, the sources added.
A meeting of the Trust on Wednesday decided to submit a project report on the proposed new building conceived under the master plan to the government. A meeting would soon be held to collect funds under the corporate social responsibility scheme. P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Tourism and Public Works, A.K. Saseendran, Minister for Forests, and Ahmed Devarkovil, Minister for Ports, would attend it. Steps would be taken to source funds for the proposed rehabilitation centre for inmates from the skill development centre of the Kozhikode district panchayat.
