India Needs More NIMHANS-like Institutes: Karnataka Minister Calls for Nationwide Expansion
Bengaluru: Karnataka has urged the Centre to replicate the NIMHANS model across India to confront the rapid rise in mental health and neurological disorders. Speaking at the 28th Convocation of NIMHANS on Saturday, Medical Education and Skill Development Minister and NIMHANS Vice-President Dr. Sharanaprakash R. Patil said the country must prepare for the growing burden of psychiatric illnesses, neurovascular diseases, urban mental health challenges, substance-use disorders, teenage suicides, geriatric mental health needs and maternal-child psychological issues.
Dr. Patil announced that Karnataka has already proposed two new NIMHANS-like regional institutes—one in Mysuru, another in Kalaburagi—to expand specialised care outside Bengaluru. Appealing directly to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who joined the ceremony virtually from New Delhi, he said the nation requires many more such institutions to meet its healthcare needs.
Unveiling major infrastructure initiatives, the Minister confirmed that land allotted by the state government and approvals secured from the Union Finance Ministry will enable the creation of a new North Campus at Kyalsanahalli, functioning as a polytrauma centre to significantly boost critical care capacity. He also thanked the Union government for sanctioning a new Outpatient Department (OPD) complex at NIMHANS, calling it an essential upgrade for patient services.
Highlighting Karnataka’s leadership in mental-health delivery, Dr. Patil said the state runs two Tele-MANAS cells—at NIMHANS and Dharwad—and is implementing the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative (Ka-BHI) with NIMHANS as the apex institution for neurological and psychiatric care.
Reassuring NIMHANS faculty, alumni and students, the Minister said the state will continue to be a committed partner in advancing mental health and neurosciences. “The government will always stand with NIMHANS—ready for discussion, collaboration and support—to strengthen mental healthcare for Karnataka and for the country,” he said.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಭಾರತದ ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ನಿಂಹಾನ್ಸ್ ಮಾದರಿಯ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳು ಅಗತ್ಯ: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಚಿವ ಡಾ. ಶರಣಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಪಾಟೀಲ
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