The Hindu : Kerala / Kozhikode News : IMHANS rehabilitation programme a success

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 16, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kozhikode

IMHANS rehabilitation programme a success

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, SEPT. 15. There has been a steady and perceptible increase in the number of mentally retarded persons who have been rehabilitated through the programmes chalked out by the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) at Kuthiravattom here since the last five years.

As per the data available with the IMHANS authorities, in 2003 as many as 425 men and 231 women have been rehabilitated when compared to the 262 men and 109 women who went through the rehabilitative process in 1999.

In 2000, it was 301 men and 135 women, in 2001 (316 and 158) and in 2002 (342 and 182) respectively who underwent rehabilitation.

Evolving models

The IMHANS Director, P.N. Suresh Kumar, said the institute had been evolving suitable models for rehabilitation such as halfway homes, self-help groups and home programmes. In tune with the recent trends in rehabilitation, IMHANS provided vocational rehabilitative service for in-patients and out-patients.

The rehabilitation unit was established in 1986 with the meagre financial support from the Kozhikode division of the National Savings Scheme, besides the SC/ST fund of the State. To begin with, 50 patients attended the programme. Now on an average more than 150 patients, including males and females utilise the services of the unit. Many continue in the programme until they get a stable job.

The various activities under the training programme include school and college notebook manufacturing, bookbinding, printing, lamination, medicine cover-making, carton-making, spinning unit and agricultural work.

Out-patients attending the programme are provided free transportation from major points in the city. The profit earned from the sale of goods is utilised for the welfare of the patients.

In 2003, the unit recorded a turnover of about Rs. 27 lakhs. The remuneration is based on grading the quality of the work. On an average many earn Rs. 500 to Rs. 700 a week, and is often the sole income of the family. Patients are also provided free medicines and food.

Integrative approach

A noteworthy feature of this type of rehabilitation is the integrative approach where the mentally retarded and mentally ill work under one roof. This is likely to emerge as a cost effective method of rehabilitation for the mentally disabled in general.

The day care programmes cater to the needs of the patients who have undergone treatment in various units of the hospital and who belong to areas in the city.

The patients spend their time in a structured and planned manner depending on their clinical condition, psychological functioning and related factors. This helps the patient to maintain the improvement he/she has made, and to learn the social skills necessary for community living.

Family service

IMHANS provides family service programme by professionally trained staff, besides helping to sort out problems in the family through counselling, promote effective household management, work adjustment, provide vocational training and planning for the care of chronically handicapped and the like.

Dr. Suresh Kumar said there was a dire need for rehabilitation services to take care of the chronic mentally-ill.

The IMHANS model of vocational rehabilitation had been found to be successful in bringing the mentally-ill to the mainstream, with the ability to live with dignity and independence.

While Kerala had made big strides in the area of physical health, the mental health scenario remained highly unsatisfactory.

Psychiatric rehabilitation was still in its infancy, it is pointed out.

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