Kerala High Court flags poor conditions at Kuthiravattom mental health centre

The Kerala High Court has expressed concern over the poor conditions at the Government Mental Health Centre in Kuthiravattom, Kozhikode. The court has requested reports from the Health and Social Welfare secretaries regarding steps being taken to improve infrastructure, fill staff vacancies, and complete Aadhaar enrolment of patients.

The court found the conditions at this centre to be similar to those at the centres in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur. The isolation wards and cells were described as old, poorly lit, and in need of a compound wall. There was also a shortage of security personnel, cooks, and cleaning staff. The high court judges, along with an amicus curiae and officials from various departments, inspected the centre and found the accommodation facilities to be detrimental to the mental well-being of patients.

The court emphasized that mental health centres are part of the broader health ecosystem and that all individuals, regardless of physical or mental ailments, have equal rights under the law.