SAN-KER
Centre for Mental Health and Neurology
Inception
SAN-KER was started in 1990 by Dr. Sandi Syiem. In an era where the mentally ill were incarcerated
in jails under inhuman conditions, Dr. Syiem identified a need for providing compassionate and quality
care for people living with mental illness. His attempts at reforming existing instiutions were
unsuccessful and facing indifference from official channels, his resolve finally resulted in the birth of
SAN-KER.
Beginnings
On the 9th of June 1990, SAN-KER was inaugurated with an initial capacity of 10 beds by the
Chief Minister Mr. B. B. Lyngdoh, with a loan from the Meghalaya Industrial Development
Corporation. The initial facilties were rudimentary and located at converted cowsheds at an
abandoned farm. Despite these difficult circumstances, facilities were soon overwhelmed requiring the
expansion of in-patient facilities and increasing staffing levels. A female ward was constructed in 1992 and the
male ward was renovated and constructed in 1994 with further expansions through the years.
Progress
SAN-KER operates on a non-profit basis and is now under the aegis of the SAN-KER Charitable Trust
that was set up after the inital loan was repaid. With the opening of the new male ward complex and the
renovation of the OPD building, SAN-KER now has a bed strength of 100 beds, daily outpatient clinics
and acute services, daycare services, physiotherapy and diagnostic services.
