To bio-wpis o dr Pratimie Murthy, wybitnej indyjskiej psychiatrze i dyrektorce NIMHANS, napisany z jej perspektywy (pierwszoosobowej), łączący bogatą biografię z profesjonalnymi zestawieniami.
Dr. Pratima Murthy: My Journey Through the Mind and Science
My name is Dr. Pratima Murthy, and for over three decades, my life has been dedicated to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. To me, psychiatry is not just a medical field; it is a unique intersection of hard science and human empathy. Throughout my career, I have strived to understand the complexities of the human brain, specifically in the realm of addiction, forensic psychiatry, and the history of mental health in India.
Growing up in Bengaluru, I was always drawn to medicine. I secured my MBBS from the prestigious Bangalore Medical College in 1985. However, it was during my rotations that I found myself fascinated by the «hidden» side of medicine—the mind. This curiosity led me to NIMHANS, where I completed my DPM (1987) and MD in Psychological Medicine (1989). My quest for global standards then took me to the University of Manchester, where I earned a Diploma in Psychological Medicine in 1992. Today, as the Director of NIMHANS, I look back at these stepping stones as the foundation of my mission to bridge the mental health gap in India.
Academic and Professional Foundations
My academic journey was marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. I was honored with the World Health Organization Prize at the University of Manchester for the best performance in my diploma—a moment that solidified my resolve to bring international best practices back to India.
I joined the faculty at NIMHANS in 1993, starting as an Assistant Professor. Over the years, I have climbed the academic ladder, serving as a Senior Professor and eventually heading the Department of Psychiatry. My heart, however, has always been in the «Centre for Addiction Medicine.» I have spent a significant portion of my life developing this center into a state-of-the-art facility that handles tobacco, alcohol, and substance use disorders with a multidisciplinary approach.
Professional Career Timeline
Below is an interactive summary of my professional journey at NIMHANS and beyond.
| Period | Position Held | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 – 1994 | Assistant Professor (De-Addiction Unit) | NIMHANS, Bangalore |
| 1994 – 1998 | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry | NIMHANS, Bangalore |
| 1998 – 2003 | Associate Professor of Psychiatry | NIMHANS, Bangalore |
| 2003 – 2005 | Additional Professor of Psychiatry | NIMHANS, Bangalore |
| 2005 – Present | Senior Professor of Psychiatry | NIMHANS, Bangalore |
| 2021 – Present | Director | NIMHANS, Bangalore |
Global Impact and Tobacco Control
My work has often taken me outside the walls of the clinic. I have had the privilege of serving as a consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the UNODC. One of my proudest achievements was receiving the WHO Regional Director’s Special Recognition Award on «World No Tobacco Day 2021.» This award recognized my decades-long fight against the tobacco epidemic in India, where I helped establish cessation services and trained thousands of health professionals across Southeast Asia.
As the lead trainer for WHO SEARO workshops, I have traveled to Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka to implement tobacco control strategies. My philosophy has always been simple: treat the addiction, but also change the system that allows it to flourish.
Selected Research and Publications
Research is the fuel that drives clinical progress. Throughout my career, I have published over 300 peer-reviewed papers. My work spans the biological correlates of alcohol dependence, forensic psychiatry, and modern interventions like Tele-MANAS.
| Publication Title | Year | Resource Access |
|---|---|---|
| Psychosocial Interventions for Substance Abuse | 2002 | Google Scholar Profile → |
| COVID-19 pandemic and alcohol use disorders | 2021 | ResearchGate Access → |
| Tobacco cessation services in India: Developments | 2010 | Institutional Page → |
| History of Psychiatry in India | Various | Download WHO CV (PDF) → |
Leadership and Future Horizons
In 2021, I became the first female psychiatrist to serve as the Director of NIMHANS. This position has allowed me to steer the institution toward a more community-integrated model. Under my leadership, we launched Tele-MANAS, the National Telemental Health Program, which has handled over 18 lakh calls to date.
Receiving the Nelson Mandela Prize for Health Promotion from WHO in 2024 on behalf of NIMHANS was a highlight of my administrative career. My vision remains clear: mental health care must be accessible, culturally relevant, and integrated into primary health systems. Leadership is not about the position I hold, but the positive changes I am able to catalyze for the millions of Indians who still face a mental health gap.
Awards and International Recognitions
I have been fortunate to receive several accolades that validate the hard work of my teams and me.
| Award Name | Year | Conferred By |
|---|---|---|
| Raja Ramanna State Award | 2019 | Government of Karnataka |
| Special Recognition Award (Tobacco) | 2021 | World Health Organization |
| DLN Murthy Rao Oration Award | 2023 | Indian Psychiatric Society |
| Nelson Mandela Prize | 2024 | WHO Geneva (Institutional) |
As I continue my tenure at NIMHANS, I remain committed to mentoring the next generation of psychiatrists. Leadership is a legacy of empowerment, and I hope my story inspires more women to lead in the field of medicine and mental health.
