Court Directs Government to Address Staff Shortages and Infrastructure Deficiencies to Improve Patient Care
In a landmark judgment aimed at uplifting the standards of mental healthcare, the Kerala High Court has issued comprehensive directives to the State Government to ameliorate the conditions at the Mental Health Center in Thiruvananthapuram. The judgment, delivered by a bench comprising Justices Mr. Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji, follows an inspection of the facility which revealed severe infrastructural deficiencies and staff shortages adversely affecting patient care.
The court's inspection on July 18, 2026, led to the uncovering of several critical issues, including a shortage of attenders, cooks, and security personnel. Out of 158 sanctioned posts for attenders, only 127 are currently filled, putting immense pressure on existing staff who are forced to perform multiple roles including cooking and maintaining security, tasks for which they are not trained.
The court observed that the patients, many of whom have mental health issues, are confined to their rooms, which are often locked. The lack of a conducive environment for recovery, along with inadequate staffing and infrastructure, hampers their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The judgment emphasized the need for a holistic approach to mental healthcare, advocating for a milieu that allows patients to express themselves and engage in meaningful activities.
In its order, the court directed the government to fill all vacant posts immediately and provide an affidavit explaining the absence of essential personnel like cooks and security staff. It also called for an improvement in infrastructure, including the completion of half-constructed buildings and the maintenance of internal roads, to ensure a safer and more welcoming environment for the patients.
The judgment also highlighted the plight of 55 patients who are fit to be discharged but remain at the center due to lack of familial support and alternative accommodations. The court ordered the government to devise a mechanism for their rehabilitation and reintegration into their families and society.
Furthermore, the court mandated a review of the center's medication supply, stressing the importance of being self-sufficient in providing both mental and physical healthcare medications.
The court set a deadline for compliance, with a follow-up scheduled for August 4, 2026, to assess the progress made in addressing these directives. This judgment marks a significant step towards improving mental healthcare services in Kerala, ensuring dignity and better care for some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Bottom line:-
Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 - Court undertook inspection of the Mental Health Center, Thiruvananthapuram, highlighting infrastructural deficiencies, shortage of personnel, and substandard patient care. Directions issued to the Government to address manpower gaps, improve infrastructure, and enhance patient care and rehabilitation facilities.
Statutory provision(s): Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
