Kozhikode’s IMHANS, a leading mental healthcare institute, remains without full-time director

The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Kozhikode, Kerala, has yet to appoint a full-time director since the death of its former director, P. Krishnakumar, in 2025. IMHANS is an autonomous institution that provides mental healthcare delivery, training, research, and policy development services. Despite the previous Left Democratic Front government initiating the recruitment process, the appointment remains stalled due to unspecified reasons.

Applications were invited from qualified individuals through the Directorate of Medical Education and the Directorate of Health Services. K.G. Sajeeth Kumar, Principal of the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, served as an interim director for five months following Dr. Krishnakumar's demise. However, V.P. Jithu, Head of the Department of Psychiatry, took over afterward.

The staff association at IMHANS has proposed appointing T.M. Shibu Kumar, an Associate Professor from the Department of Psychiatry at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, to the post. They believe his familiarity with the institute's functioning would benefit the institution. The institute plays a crucial role in mental healthcare for patients across north Kerala, offering outpatient services, an autism clinic, community mental health programs, child development services, and rehabilitation projects.

Additionally, IMHANS offers M.Phil programmes in Psychiatric Social Work, Clinical Psychology, and a post-basic diploma in psychiatric nursing, all of which were launched for the first time in the government sector in Kerala. The institute was recognized for its community projects and selected by the Union government to become a centre of excellence in mental health for the 11th plan.