Bengaluru, 16 October

Health Minister UT Khader on Friday said that it was now mandatory for every mental health establishment to have at least one psychiatrist for every 30 patients. 

Khader issued the directions during a meeting with the Karnataka State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA) and NIMHANS experts on implementing the Karnataka Mental Healthcare Regulations, 2026.

“Across all five categories, from standalone mental health establishments, medical college psychiatry departments and hospital psychiatric wards to de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, the following are now mandatory,” Khader stated on X. “One psychiatrist per 30 patients, nurses on every shift, psychologists or social workers, hygiene norms, disabled-friendly premises and emergency ambulance access.” 

Officials have been directed to ensure that every mental health facility in the State meets these standards in full. 

Data was not available for the ratio of mental health patients to doctors in Karnataka, but India averages about 0.75 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 people, falling short of the WHO’s recommendations that there should be 3 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 people – irrespective of whether they have known mental health disorders.