The number of patients languishing in the hospital from 6 months to 34 years was 163. The long stay of patients in the hospital had been attributed to chronic ailments which required prolonged treatment and some chronic patients not responding to treatment despite best possible measures; difficulty in tracing the addresses of patients admitted through orders of the court; reluctance on the part of family/relatives to take back the cured patients. Mortality figures varied from 5 to 17 between 2004 and 2008. This was a matter of deep concern even though the procedure established by law (informing police, conducting enquiry, arranging autopsy etc.) was followed. A drug de-addiction ward with 8 family rooms, recreation/group therapy area, nurses’ station, toilets and other amenities had been constructed with central assistance in 2006-08 but was awaiting formal inauguration. This ward had a separate perimeter wall and gate to isolate these patients from others as also to prevent absconding and easy access to substance abuse. Government Mental Health Centre (GMHC), Kozhikode (12th to 15th April, 2009) All new patients except court admissions were directly admitted in family wards where a relative was allowed to stay with the patient. A complete medical examination of patients was done within 24 hours of their admission and the results of the said examination were recorded and records were maintained. Most of admitted patients were treated and discharged within 2 to 3 weeks. However, patients requiring more intensive care were transferred to closed wards and treated there till they became fit to be managed as outpatients. The patients were attended by 5 Psychiatrists, 2 Clinical Psychologists, 1 Psychiatric Social Worker, 1 Ophthalmologist, 1ENT surgeon, 1 Physical Medicine Specialist and 1 Clinical Pathologist. The frequency of rounds in the Closed Wards was generally once a week but serious cases were examined more frequently by the Unit Medical Officer. Unit chief/unit medical officers were taking daily round of open wards and patients on dangerously ill list were evaluated daily/twice a day depending upon the need. The mentally ill persons with associated complications (cardio vascular, respiratory etc.) were sent to Govt. Medical College Calicut along with an attendant and a detailed letter. Normally all cases referred to Governmet. Medical College Hospital were entertained without any difficulty. Patients were admitted without any preconditions and their investigations and treatment was free of cost. The hospital with sanctioned bed strength of 474 had 7 Closed Wards (more than 50 beds each); 2 Family Wards (35 inmates each); 2 Pay Wards (one closed for renovation and another constructed recently was awaiting electricity connection); 1 Child Psychiatry Ward (10 beds); 1 Forensic Ward and 1 Chronic Ward. Paying ward had no extra facility except for a separate room with attached toilet. All rooms in the wards were well lighted and ventilated due to large windows in the Care and Treatment in Mental Health Institutions– Some Glimpses in the Recent Period 65