IMH will not be privatised or managed by NGO: Health Minister

Tamil Nadu Health Minister assures no privatization of Institute of Mental Health in Chennai, despite objections from associations.

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian on Monday categorically said that the Tamil Nadu government will not privatise the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Chennai nor hand over the institute’s management to an NGO.

In the last few days, associations including the Doctors Association for Social Equality, and Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) have registered their objection to a move to have IMH managed by a not-for-profit wholly government-owned company registered under the Companies Act as stated in an official communication from Health Secretary Supriya Sahu to Director of Medical Education J. Sangumani.

Responding to a question on this decision, the Minister said he came across the information on social media in the last two days. “There is no such move.. Like for other government hospitals, CSR contributions will be accepted for IMH for its development. IMH will definitely not be privatised nor will it be handed over to an NGO. This is the State’s government stand,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital

Referring to the official communication, the Minister said the aim was to further improve the infrastructure of IMH and to get CSR contributions.

Listing out the various measures taken by the government to improve IMH, he said the Chief Minister, in December 2022, inaugurated a halfway home constructed at a cost of ₹2.30 crore and laid the foundation for a new building at a cost of ₹40 crore. The latter was being set up to expand mental health services as well as take up research similar to NIMHANS, Bengaluru. In addition, a heritage building, which was serving as a recreation hall, on the IMH campus was being renovated at a cost of ₹4.62 crore. Services for children with autism were also started at IMH. About 520 residents received the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme cards.

SDPGA, in a statement, demanded that the government drop this decision to have IMH managed by a company. This is a move that would pave the way to privatisation, it said.